Valencian Acting President Carlos Mazón Faces Scrutiny Over Response to Tragic DANA Emergencies

Carlos Mazón, the acting president of the Valencian Generalitat, found himself under intense scrutiny on Monday during a session before the Commission for the DANA in the Congress of Deputies. The inquiry focused on his failure to respond to critical emergency calls between 6:57 PM and 7:34 PM on October 29, coinciding with the devastating DANA that left many in distress. When pressed for answers regarding the missed calls from his interior minister Salomé Pradas, an evasive Mazón stated, 'I don't know if I had the mobile in my backpack,' underscoring a lack of accountability in what many considered a grave situation. Mazón was adamant that he was not disconnected during those crucial hours, stating, 'Not answering one call out of more than twenty that I made that day doesn’t mean I was absent.' However, his attempt to distance himself from responsibility only fueled the backlash as opposition leaders criticized his management during the crisis. Mazón maintained that after departing the Ventorro at approximately 6:30 PM, he went directly to the Palau de la Generalitat, denying that he returned home or lingered elsewhere. Despite multiple calls for clarity on the delayed alert notification, which did not go out until 8:11 PM, Mazón deflected responsibility again, claiming that the decision to send the alert rested with operational commanders. 'It was sent when the commanders deemed it appropriate,' he asserted, emphasizing a reluctance to interfere in emergency operations, declaring that the experience of technicians was paramount. This defensive stance drew ire from Podemos leader Ione Belarra, who chastised Mazón, labeling him a 'flower vase' for his passive role on that fateful day. She laid a heavy accusation at his feet, stating, 'You are responsible for the death of 229 people,' attributing the loss of life directly to his inaction. In a highly charged exchange, Belarra continued, 'Your management has been murderous,' and stated her hope that he would face political consequences and legal repercussions for his decisions. Colleague Águeda Micó echoed these sentiments, calling him a 'bad person,' indicating a consensus among opposition members regarding Mazón's handling of the crisis. In his defense, Mazón shifted blame to entities such as AEMET for weather prediction failures and the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation for a lack of communication regarding the Poyo ravine's conditions. He also criticized the central government for the delayed arrival of assistance, although it is noted that UME teams were dispatched to the worst-hit areas on the same day. As the fallout from the tragic events continues to mount, the questions surrounding Mazón's response only seem to deepen, with victims' families and political opponents demanding accountability. The lingering shadow of the DANA disaster casts uncertainty over the leadership of the Valencian Generalitat, while calls for a more transparent and responsible government grow louder. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2