Santa Cruz Deputy Mayor Files Complaint Against TikToker Over Slander Allegations

The tension between freedom of speech and the right to reputation has reached the courts in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Carlos Tarife, the city’s First Deputy Mayor and head of Public Services, has filed a formal complaint with the National Police against a TikTok creator known as "Chani Bolichozo," accusing the user of slander and libel.

The dispute stems from a series of live broadcasts the creator filmed outside City Hall. During these videos, the TikToker made serious allegations against Tarife, linking him to sexual misconduct and abuse. Tarife has submitted the video recordings as evidence, arguing that these claims go far beyond the boundaries of acceptable political criticism.

This case highlights the challenges public officials face in the age of social media, where unverified accusations can spread rapidly without editorial oversight. While Tarife acknowledges that public figures must accept a certain level of scrutiny, he maintains that these specific attacks have crossed a legal line. He stated that his patience has run out and that he is taking action to defend his reputation and career against what he calls "intolerable falsehoods."

The situation has also taken on a political tone. Tarife has publicly called on Patricia Hernández, spokesperson for the Socialist municipal group, to condemn both the personal attacks against him and the creator’s allegations of corruption within the Santa Cruz Local Police. By pursuing this case, the Deputy Mayor aims to establish that content creators must be held accountable when they use their platforms to spread claims that threaten the integrity of individuals and public institutions.