Güímar Officials Face Scrutiny Over Unofficial Land Development Deal
Opposition parties in Güímar, Tenerife, are demanding an investigation after the local government admitted to conducting municipal land work based solely on a verbal agreement with a private businessman.
The management of public land in Güímar, Tenerife, is under fire after officials admitted that work on a municipal plot was carried out without any formal paperwork. The local government—a coalition of the PP, NC, and two independent councilors—confirmed to the City Council that the land, intended for a future cemetery expansion, was prepared following only a verbal agreement with a local businessman.
This incident has sparked concerns over transparency. While the Councilor for Works and Services, José Miguel Hernández, and Mayor Carmen Luisa Castro argue that no public money was spent—claiming it was a simple trade of services for the removal of rubble—the opposition is questioning the legality of the move. The PSOE, Coalición Canaria, and Unidas Sí Podemos argue that without a written contract, there is no way to properly audit the use of public assets.
The dispute has now moved to an administrative level. After receiving no response to information requests filed on May 15 and July 7, opposition groups are now calling on the Secretariat, the Comptroller's Office, and the Contracting Service to confirm whether any official documentation exists. They are specifically demanding to see technical reports, economic valuations of the materials removed, and any decrees that might prove the city did not lose assets in the deal.
Under Spanish law, any service provided to a local government must follow strict procedures to ensure transparency and fair competition. By bypassing these rules, the local government has created significant legal uncertainty. With their questions still unanswered, opposition groups have warned that they may take legal action to determine who is responsible for the agreement and to clarify the future of the site.