The political fallout from the devastating storm, known as DANA, has created significant tensions within the Valencian government as conflicting narratives emerge between government delegate Pilar Bernabé and president Carlos Mazón over how the crisis was managed.
On Wednesday, Bernabé defended herself against accusations from Vice President Susana Camarero, who stated, "Bernabé has lied intentionally" about Mazón's presence at the Coordination Center for Operational Coordination (CECOPI) during the key moments of the storm on October 29. Camarero asserted, "Evidence certified by civil servants shows Bernabé lied; the president arrived at CECOPI after the alert message was sent. This means Bernabé knowingly misled the public by claiming CECOPI waited for Mazón to send the alert."
Such claims have generated distrust and confusion, leading to calls for accountability from various political figures. Bernabé, during her radio interview, expressed her frustration, insisting, "After hearing this, I feel nothing but weariness and pain. It’s intolerable to have different versions presented over four months. I saw Mazón only after the alert was sent, and it was never about whether he was present—my main concern was ensuring the alert reached all the provinces.”
The discrepancies touch on sensitive points surrounding emergency management, as differing accounts raise questions about who was truly responsible for the timing of the emergency response. While Bernabé reiterated her position—that she witnessed Mazón only post-alert—Camaro’s assertion hinges on the idea of Mazón's absence impacting the urgency of the alert system's actions.
Also, the question of why the decision to issue the alert was not made sooner has become the focal point of scrutiny. Camarero emphasized the importance of clarifying the timeline: "It is false to say CECOPI waited for the president to issue the public alert on DANA. No one saw Mazón before the alert was sent, which is categorically proven and must be addressed judicially as Bernabé will need to justify her statements."
Further complicity surrounds the own government's acknowledgment of inadequate preparation to handle the storm. Reports indicate Mazón himself stated he arrived at CECOPI just after 19:00, contradicting Bernabé's account of seeing him prior to the alert being dispatched at 20:11. To add to the confusion, the response from the Generalitat has seemingly shifted, as they now assert Mazón was not present during the decision to send the alert, which has led to accusations of misinformation and failure to communicate effectively.
This tug-of-war over the narrative has deepened the rift between the central government and regional representatives. The kind of miscommunications experienced during the DANA situation—and the public disagreement over responsibility—highlight broader issues within the emergency management protocols and decision-making timelines.
Laura Chulià, deputy spokesperson for the Popular Party (PP), has demanded Bernabé’s resignation, stating, "It has been proven all her claims related to the DANA management are lies. The PSOE is building false narratives for political gain instead of addressing the real emergency needs of the community." Chulià criticized what she termed Bernabé’s evasiveness and lack of accountability for the delayed alert. "The core problem lies in the failure to inform the population of the imminent flooding measures, resulting tragically. While we’ve seen over 40% of committed aid disbursed to victims, the Sánchez government has only mobilized about 7%."
The Cypress storm caused immense damage, and the government’s handling of the situation continues to be a contentious point within the community. Bernabé maintained during her remarks, "I have provided consistent statements from the start and will continue to do so. It is not within my purview to comment on Mazón’s actions; he needs to explain his role and any delays. The people deserve clarity. I remain ready to cooperate with any judicial inquiries. People’s lives were at stake."
Adding to her defense, Bernabé noted the operational difficulties her team faced during the alert system failure, where CECOPI was reportedly cut off for over one hour. "At 17:00, the CECOPI staff decided to stop communication to deliberate on the strategies to tackle the emergency. It was chaotic. I received calls from mayors saying their constituents were dying. At 19:00, we proceeded to draft the alert, but we had moments of blackouts, which impeded our response capacity. I was concerned with ensuring communication clarity across the board, not merely about Mazón’s attendance."
This fiasco has left the public questioning their leaders' preparedness and response efficacy, especially as victims of the flooding continue to struggle. The growing discontent will likely fuel political consequences for both sides as this crisis continues to evolve. Bernabé’s acknowledgment of potential liability and her readiness to provide explanations indicates the situation remains fluid and contentious.
It’s clear at this juncture; the recovery process from this event is marred by disputes and contrasting accounts over the proper response protocol, which could impose lasting ramifications on Valencian politics well beyond the immediate aftermath of the storm. The responsibility for those who lost their lives due to mismanagement looms large for all parties involved.