Tenerife Faces Backlash After Influencer Granted Exclusive Access to Emergency Command Center
Tenerife’s emergency management is facing political backlash after officials granted a social media influencer exclusive, unrestricted access to a high-security command center during Storm Therese.
Emergency management in Tenerife is facing criticism after a social media influencer was granted exclusive access to the Island Operational Coordination Center (Cecopin) during Storm Therese. According to Atlántico Hoy, the creator behind the "Informe Bolorino" account livestreamed for two hours from inside the restricted facility, sparking a political backlash and raising serious questions about security protocols.
The center, located in the Santiago Martín Pavilion, is a high-security area restricted to technical staff and officials due to the sensitive nature of its operations. While traditional media outlets are typically limited to filming silent footage, the influencer was allowed to move freely, record private conversations, and film operational data on whiteboards.
The Tenerife PSOE has announced it will raise the issue at the next Cabildo plenary session to demand answers. Socialist secretary-general Tamara Raya called the incident a "serious contradiction," noting that while the institution urged the public to exercise caution during the storm, it allowed an unauthorized person to roam the command center. The party warns that treating an emergency hub like a social media set risks the spread of unverified information and compromises the effectiveness of the response team.
The Cabildo of Tenerife has defended the decision, citing "exceptional circumstances." Officials argued that in critical situations, they may grant specific access to help spread official information to the public. However, the controversy continues, fueled by reports that the influencer was granted entry via a direct phone call after accredited journalists had already been asked to leave.
The incident has ignited a wider debate about the role of social media in government communications. While the opposition argues that emergency management requires strict neutrality and security, critics of Rosa Dávila’s government claim the administration is prioritizing media visibility over safety. The Socialist party maintains that using a vital civil protection hub as a backdrop for content creation trivializes the essential work of emergency responders.