Alcalá de Henares joins today in the call from the Madrilenian Federation of Municipalities and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces to express solidarity with the Venezuelan people. The deputy mayor, Isabel Ruiz Maldonado, highlighted the significance of this gesture, recalling the moving images of the tragedy and the act of bravery by a young girl who guided rescuers to save her brother.
Ruiz Maldonado praised the response of hundreds of Madrileños and humanitarian organizations, such as Cáritas, the Food Bank, the Red Cross, and the UME, as well as volunteers from Alcalá, calling them "heroes" for their tireless work. "They are our heroes," she stated, underscoring the spirit of overcoming adversity and Christian charity they demonstrate.
“"Unfortunately, the people of Venezuela lack a forward-thinking, democratic, and modern state that would have allowed this catastrophe to be mitigated in a more modern way, with more equipment and infrastructure for safety."
The municipal representative pointed out that Venezuela lacks a "forward-thinking, democratic, and modern" state that could have mitigated the catastrophe's effects, lamenting the lack of adequate infrastructure amidst an abundance of "commissioners" and "thieves."
She also highlighted the exemplary mobilization in Alcalá, the Henares region, and the entire Madrid region, led by the ERICAM team, describing the solidarity of the Madrilenian people as "essential," as noted by the Pope during his recent visit. "I am proud of our emergency services, our solidarity organizations, and our volunteers, our army," she declared.
Finally, Ruiz Maldonado sent greetings to Venezuelans in Alcalá, Madrid, Spain, and worldwide, with special mention to those affected in La Guaira, Caracas, Maiquetía, Yumare, and San Felipe. She reiterated the importance of strong democracies in facing major catastrophes and recalled the deceased sister who guided her brother's rescue as an exemplary figure.
