Arona PSOE Accuses VOX Councilor of Using AI to Spread Political Disinformation
The PSOE in Arona has accused a VOX councilor of using official municipal channels to disseminate AI-generated disinformation, prompting calls for an investigation into the misuse of public resources.
Artificial intelligence has sparked a major controversy in Arona’s local politics after the Socialist municipal group (PSOE) accused a VOX councilor of using official City Council channels to spread manipulated content.
The PSOE claims that councilor Naím Yánez used an AI-generated image to falsely link former Socialist mayor José Julián Mena to Leire Díez. The Socialists have denied any such connection, explaining that the documents cited in the image actually refer to a routine administrative agreement between the local government and the postal service, Correos. This agreement was simply intended to allow residents to pay municipal taxes at post offices, a fact the PSOE says has been distorted to create a fake narrative.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the use of public resources to spread disinformation. The PSOE has questioned the integrity of the current governing coalition—made up of the Popular Party, Coalición Canaria, and VOX—suggesting these tactics are being used to compensate for a lack of genuine policy arguments. Consequently, the Socialists have formally asked Mayor Fátima Lemes to publicly address the use of municipal media for spreading hoaxes and to disavow the councilor’s actions.
As generative AI becomes a potential weapon in political disputes, the opposition is now considering legal action, citing a breach of institutional ethics. The mayor’s response is seen as a critical test; the PSOE warns that failing to act could be viewed as an endorsement of these tactics, further damaging public trust in local government.