Puerto de la Cruz Council Faces Backlash Over Delayed Playa Jardín Closure

A major political dispute has erupted in the Puerto de la Cruz City Council over the handling of a health crisis at Playa Jardín. Documents obtained by the Socialist municipal group (PSOE) show that the local government was warned by regional health authorities on June 23 to close the El Charcón area due to contamination. This contradicts claims by the governing coalition (PP-ACP-CC), who previously stated they were unaware of the severity of the situation at the time.

According to the official file, the Public Health department notified the council of the need to restrict swimming via phone and email at 12:23 p.m. on June 23. Instead of closing the beach immediately, the council ordered its own independent tests just over an hour later. The PSOE argues this was a deliberate attempt to ignore official health guidelines. Tensions rose the following day when the councilor in charge reportedly refused to sign official documents and blamed the lack of warning signs on vandalism—a claim that technical reports have since refuted.

The situation is further complicated by a lack of cooperation. A certificate from the head of health inspection, dated August 18, confirms that the City Council has still not responded to formal requests for information. The opposition has labeled this silence and lack of transparency as political negligence, demanding that those responsible be held accountable.

Beyond the immediate controversy, the incident has highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the area’s failing water infrastructure. The Socialist group is now calling on the Cabildo de Tenerife to fast-track long-delayed projects for a new treatment plant and outfall, which have been funded since 2023. The PSOE maintains that the mayor must now issue a public apology and address these failures to restore the community's trust.