Casimiro Curbelo
The lack of connectivity in a fragmented territory like ours is comparable to living in a house with defective foundations. The problem may not always be perceived in all its magnitude from the outside, but those who suffer from it daily know that it affects their life, their opportunities and their future. That is exactly what is happening today between El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma.
For many, the absence of direct connections between these islands may seem like a minor inconvenience, an acceptable annoyance in an archipelago. However, for the citizens of El Hierro, Palma and Gomero, this reality means spending more than double – or even triple – the time to travel from one island to another, with the almost permanent obligation to make a stopover in Tenerife or Gran Canaria. A journey that could be completed in 30 or 40 minutes ends up becoming a trip of at least four hours, with the consequent personal, economic and social wear and tear.
This situation is not neutral. It penalizes daily mobility, makes economic activity more expensive and limits effective access to employment, health, educational and administrative opportunities. In short, it accentuates inequality between the Canary Islands and breaks the principle of territorial cohesion that should guide any public policy in an autonomous community fragmented by definition.
Connectivity is not an accessory issue nor an island demand. It is a basic condition for the balanced economic and social development of the Canary Islands. Our geography forces us to understand that we can only connect between islands by sea or air, and that is why guaranteeing these connections under reasonable conditions of continuity, frequency and accessibility is not a privilege, but a right.
This reality, whose solution has been agonizing for too long, is a reflection that we still have a way to go to overcome the challenges of our island condition. It is not enough to assume the Atlantic barriers as an inevitable fact; It is time to overthrow them with brave political decisions and effective instruments.
The time has come to determine, once and for all, a real solution to this problem. And that solution involves working seriously and rigorously on the declaration of public service obligations, both air and maritime, that allow direct and stable connection to El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera. It is unreasonable that moving between the Green Islands requires more time and effort than a trip between Tenerife and a major European capital.
Talking about public service obligations means betting on balanced development that does not leave behind those who live on the islands with the greatest access difficulties. And it is also to assume that the Canary Islands will only be truly one when all its citizens can move, work and live under equal conditions, regardless of the island on which they reside.
Because without connectivity, the foundations of our common home will remain fragile. And the Canary Islands cannot afford to continue building their future on such unequal bases.
