The shadow of El Algarrobico causes another mess in Carboneras: the PP leaves the government for a "different opinion" about the hotel

The political crisis in Carboneras has deepened with the Popular Party (PP) breaking its coalition with Mayor Salvador Hernández of Citizens (Cs), citing a “different opinion” on the controversial El Algarrobico hotel. The decision comes after months of instability in the town’s government, which had been held together by Hernández despite being the sole member of Cs to win a seat in the 2023 elections. The PP, which previously supported Hernández in governing the municipality, has now withdrawn from the coalition, leaving the mayor with only two remaining allies: himself and Ángeles Carrillo, a non-affiliated councilor and former PP member. This move adds another layer to the complex web of family ties and political rivalries that have long shaped Carboneras' governance. At the heart of this turmoil lies the illegal hotel El Algarrobico, built between 2003 and 2006 on a beach within public land and encroaching upon the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. The dispute over the hotel has become a flashpoint for political maneuvering, with accusations of backroom deals and betrayals among key figures over the past two decades. In Carboneras, political parties often serve as vehicles for individual influence, making alliances fluid and unpredictable. According to Francisco Bellido, the PP's regional secretary, the rupture was driven by a “complete loss of trust” in Hernández’s administration. He emphasized that the party holds firm to the rule of law and judicial rulings regarding El Algarrobico, including the Supreme Court of Andalusia’s 2021 ruling that declared the hotel’s license null and void. However, Bellido claimed there were “different criteria” within the municipal government regarding how to proceed with enforcing these rulings, casting doubt on Hernández’s commitment to carrying them out. While the exact nature of the disagreement remains unclear, Bellido stated that the situation had become “unsustainable,” prompting the PP to withdraw. Mayor Hernández, meanwhile, attributed the split to the looming municipal elections, which are just ten months away. His stance suggests that the current political tensions may be exacerbated by the upcoming contest for power, further complicating the already fragile balance of authority in the town. The issue of El Algarrobico has recently taken center stage in Carboneras politics. Last week, the city council finally approved the annulment of the hotel’s 2003 building permit, fulfilling a court order issued in 2021 and made final in 2022. The vote passed with support from the mayor, his four fellow members of the governing team, two Socialists, and Hernández himself. This marked the second attempt to pass the resolution, following a failed effort three weeks earlier. That time, a last-minute tactic by five Socialist councilors and two independents, including former mayors José Luis Amérigo and Felipe Cayuela, prevented the measure from coming to a vote. The failure sparked national attention and a stern warning from the judges of the Supreme Court of Andalusia, urging the municipality to enforce the ruling immediately. The origins of the conflict trace back to a powerful historical figure in Carboneras politics: Cristóbal Fernández, who served as mayor from 1983 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2011. A member of a prominent family during the Franco era, Fernández initially led a local party before joining the PSOE. His tenure set the stage for the entrenched political dynamics that continue to shape the town today. These dynamics include deep-rooted family connections and personal enmities that have persisted through generations of local leadership. As a result, navigating the political landscape of Carboneras requires an understanding of both institutional structures and the intricate relationships that underpin them.