Betancuria councillor relinquishes her portfolios after personal reflection but will remain in office

“Today I write these words with a heart full of emotion. After a period of deep reflection, I have decided to give up responsibility for the portfolios delegated to me at Betancuria Town Council. It has not been an easy decision, because behind every project, every initiative and every day’s work lie many hours of effort, enthusiasm and commitment to our community.”

Those are the opening lines of a statement published on social media by Esperanza González Méndez, first deputy mayor of Betancuria Town Council, representing Unidos Por Betancuria. She announces that she is relinquishing the portfolios delegated to her at the council: Popular Festivities, Youth, Sport, New Technologies, Education, Twinning with other municipalities and Citizen Participation.

She says her decision to step down from these responsibilities follows “a process of personal reflection”. It was a “difficult” decision, but a necessary one to ensure she could act “consistently”; it does not mean giving up her seat as a councillor.

González Méndez said she had chosen to take this step because she did not feel she was in the right condition to cope with the demands of day-to-day municipal management. “It is not an act of cowardice, but of courage,” she said, adding that she had learned to “listen to her own body” and make decisions accordingly.

The councillor acknowledged that, for a time, she thought her resignation might be seen as a sign of weakness, but said that as the days went by she realised it was a responsible decision. “When you believe in public service, you must also be honest and recognise when you need to stop or change pace,” she said.

Although she is relinquishing her government portfolios, the councillor confirmed that she will keep her seat and remain involved in municipal politics. “My commitment to this municipality and its people remains unchanged,” she said, making clear that she will continue to work in her capacity as a councillor to defend residents’ interests.

During her time in charge of the portfolios, she highlighted several initiatives, including the introduction of sporting activities in the municipality for the first time—among them CrossFit, zumba and Pilates—and efforts to give local festivities a new focus, centred on socialising and participation.

She also praised the cooperation of local schools, thanking them for their “warmth, respect and kind words”, and highlighted the work she had done alongside municipal staff, whom she described as essential to getting initiatives off the ground.

The councillor acknowledged, however, that some projects remain outstanding, including the opening of a school canteen, the creation of a classroom for two-year-olds and the construction of sports facilities. She stressed that these were “much-needed” initiatives whose delivery did not depend solely on her work.

Before bringing this chapter to a close, the councillor said she was leaving several projects in progress, including the tendering of services in the areas of festivities and sport, the Christmas programme “The Christmas That Brings Us Together” and various plans for municipal activities.

She also thanked those who had supported her during her time at the Town Council, stressing that her commitment to the municipality had not gone away. “Commitment is not abandoned… it simply changes the way you serve,” she said.

Difficult times for Enrique Cerdeña

In her assessment, the councillor also emphasised the importance of “listening to all opinions and setting political pride aside”, highlighting the difficult relationship with Mayor Enrique Cerdeña.

She called for public action to focus on the general interest, “regardless of political affiliation”, in a nod to Coalición Canaria, which has three councillors in opposition. Unidos Por Betancuria would have the same number if the councillor not only relinquished her posts but also joined the group of non-attached councillors and left the party. Such a scenario would make it possible to table a motion of no confidence in the mayor.

It is a difficult time for Betancuria Town Council, and particularly for its mayor. Enrique Cerdeña is due to appear tomorrow, Friday, at Court of First Instance and Preliminary Investigation No. 3 in Puerto del Rosario as a person under investigation. He will be required to answer questions about alleged offences including repeatedly making knowingly unlawful administrative decisions, misappropriation of public funds and workplace harassment, after the court opened preliminary proceedings following a complaint filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Elena Puchalt, the municipal secretary and financial controller, is also due to appear in court this Friday as a person under investigation.