Santa Cruz Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez Announces Re-election Bid Amid Infrastructure Push and Political Friction
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez has announced his bid for re-election, highlighting his administration's infrastructure investments while navigating political tensions over urban development and heritage disputes.
As the current term draws to a close, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is navigating a complex political landscape defined by major infrastructure projects and rising tensions with the central government. In a recent interview with Diario de Avisos, Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez confirmed his intention to seek re-election as the head of the Canarian Coalition, defending his 14-year record against claims that his administration is losing momentum.
The mayor highlights a period of intense investment, with over 100 million euros expected to be spent by the end of this cycle. His administration points to more than 30 urban development projects and 64 million euros in secured European funding as evidence of the city’s ongoing transformation. However, Bermúdez admits that the "Santa Cruz Verde 2030" project—the ambitious redevelopment of the refinery site—is moving frustratingly slowly, as it remains dependent on the construction of new distribution tanks in Granadilla and the dismantling of existing facilities.
A significant point of friction has emerged between the city and the Ministry of Democratic Memory, led by Ángel Víctor Torres. The dispute centers on the monument to Franco; while the state government has requested its removal, Bermúdez argues that reports from the Municipal Historical Heritage Commission confirm the monument has artistic value, making its preservation legal under current regional and national laws. The mayor claims this standoff has hindered administrative cooperation, noting that the Ministry has failed to provide necessary documentation for the future Museum of Freemasonry at the Masonic Temple.
Regarding traffic, the mayor acknowledges the severe congestion in the metropolitan area. His proposed solutions include a new access road through the former refinery grounds and an expansion of the tram network toward La Gallega and Las Teresitas—a project that still requires coordination with the Island Council.
Despite past controversies, such as the reorganization of the city’s bike lanes, Bermúdez maintains that his focus remains on political stability and essential services like sanitation and lighting. With party candidacy decisions approaching in October, the mayor is banking on his long-standing experience, arguing that his leadership is necessary to ensure the continuity of the urban projects currently reshaping the capital.