Outrage Erupts as Texts Reveal Valencia Leader Ignored Flood Crisis

Outrage has erupted among victims of the devastating floods (DANA) following the release of text messages from Carlos Mazón this Friday. These messages demonstrate that the former president of the Valencian regional government (Generalitat) ignored the crisis in the Valencian Community following the torrential rains of October 29th. In a strongly worded statement, two victims’ associations emphasize that the messages, provided by former regional minister Salomé Pradas, prove that Mazón was aware of the severity of the situation and refused to change his schedule before entering El Ventorro. Mazón maintained his plans even when he learned, before 5:00 PM, that there had already been a first death in Utiel.

“We have been deceived for a year. The official narrative that denied having clear elements to act dose not hold up in the face of these messages. The information existed and was not used to save lives,” lament the Association of Victims of the DANA Storm of October 29,2019. Because of this very reason, they demand that Mazón, who continues as a member of the Valencian Parliament, immediately resign his seat. Without this, they warn that they will not meet with the new president of the Valencian Government, juanfran Pérez Llorca, who expressed his willingness to rebuild bridges with both the victims and the Spanish government, with a view to reconstruction.

The Valencian president, invested a week ago with the votes of Vox and PP, reiterated this desire on Saturday from Congress, on the occasion of Constitution Day: “People are tired of the tension,” he said, and defended “dialog” in the reconstruction process.