Tenerife Sparks Debate Over €5.8M Private Security for Teide Park

Tenerife's Island Council has sparked a major political and social debate by deciding to hire a private company to patrol Teide National Park. This five-year security contract is worth nearly 5.8 million euros. The Socialist Party on the island has strongly opposed the move, accusing Island President Rosa Dávila of putting private business interests ahead of managing a priceless natural area.

Opposition spokesperson Aarón Afonso claims this contract is part of a wider plan by the ruling coalition (CC and PP) to privatize public services across both the Island Council and the regional government. The Socialists question why private security is being used when there are already qualified public environmental agents on waiting lists, and an ongoing hiring process has seen over 200 candidates pass initial tests. They argue that this decision ignores people trying to get public jobs and has been widely criticized by trade unions, including national security forces and local police. Instead, they suggest filling the positions with public employees or temporary staff.

However, Blanca Pérez, the island's Minister for Natural Environment, has defended the decision. She explained that the hired rural guards are "support staff" and are not replacing existing environmental agents. Pérez noted that these guards, who started work last October after new access rules were introduced, are vital for keeping the park safe and protected, especially at night when there weren't enough public staff. The minister clarified that while these guards cannot issue fines and must call the Civil Guard for any rule-breaking, their presence helps enforce regulations. She said this measure was needed because the full management of the park wasn't transferred until early this year, which stopped them from hiring more public staff. Also, the Island Council doesn't have its own police force.

Meanwhile, Jaime Coello, director of the Telesforo Bravo-Juan Coello Foundation, has raised concerns about using private security guards for surveillance in a national park. Coello believes their role would be better suited for places like visitor centers or museums, rather than direct patrol duties, which he thinks should only be handled by environmental agents and police. He questioned whether the public money was being spent efficiently, suggesting it could instead be used to create more public staff jobs. He also pointed out that private guards are limited in dealing with rule violations, always needing an official authority to step in.

This controversy highlights a wider debate in Spain about how to manage and protect natural areas. It pits the practical need for security against the principles of public service and questions who should have the power to monitor and fine people in important ecological sites with many visitors.