The rising wave of crimes and discovery in Gran Canaria and Tenerife is putting the archipelago's security at risk.
In recent days, the Canary Islands have been the scene of a series of events that have reignited the debate over security on the islands. From moon landings in the capital to deadly attacks on the neighboring island and kidnappings in southern Gran Canaria.
In less than 24 hours, two establishments in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have been attacked by vandals. Bars and supermarkets have been targeted by attackers who have not hesitated to smash shop windows and enter the establishments with vehicles.
Furthermore, the capital was the scene of a dramatic police operation following an attempted robbery of an armored van that ended with several shots fired and six arrests.
Meanwhile, in Tenerife, an attack ended tragically with the death of a man, whose attacker remains unaccounted for while authorities search for witnesses to clarify the situation. This follows the death of Isaac Trujillo, a man from Gran Canaria, during the Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnival, and a recent fight in a club in Tenerife, where someone tried to tear off a man's ear.
These incidents are added to the recent events that occurred in the south of Gran Canaria, where in less than two weeks two bodies have been found in Mogán, one of them floating face down in a pond in the municipality (although the authorities did not indicate that the bodies had any noticeable signs of violence), and a Drug-related kidnapping in El Salobre, forcing the police to carry out a high-risk rescue to free the kidnapped.
For decades, the islands have sold an image of tranquility and safety to attract millions of tourists each year. However, the succession of violent episodes raises questions about the reality of that perception and has many beginning to wonder if enough is being done to ensure the Canary Islands remain the safe destination they so proudly claim to be.
