What is Mazón Trying to Hide?

Former Valencian president Carlos Mazón continued to avoid answering critical inquiries regarding his management of the October 2024 DANA disaster, which resulted in 232 fatalities in Valencia province. During a congressional hearing on Monday, Mazón persistently declared, "I won't answer" or redirected members of parliament (MPs) to his previous remarks.

The inquiry remains unsatisfied as he refuses to disclose the WhatsApp messages and call records that could have clarified his knowledge and actions on the day of the catastrophe. Mazón argued that releasing such information would be inappropriate, citing a ruling from the Valencian High Court of Justice which deemed insufficient evidence to initiate an investigation against him.

He maintained that only the courts can establish legal responsibility. However, the judicial decision fails to address the broader political concerns about his actions or eliminate the necessity for transparency before Congress and the families of those who perished. Investigating judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra has asked Mazón for his messages from the day of the floods, yet his legal counsel has not submitted them willingly.

His attorney, Ignacio Gally, had previously stated that the decision to provide the messages and call records would depend on their necessity and usefulness. Mazón also declined to confirm if he would furnish the communications to the parliamentary committee if formally requested. His latest legal filing argued that he could only intervene after 8 pm and that there is no evidence that an earlier warning would have saved lives.

The judge suggested that this defense might instead shift more blame onto former regional minister Salomé Pradas for the late issuance of the alert. Throughout the hearing, Mazón accused MPs of relying on falsehoods, fabrications, insinuations, lies, and conspiracy theories. Despite his persistent refusals to engage with substantive questions, the issue of whether the messages would support his account remains unresolved.

The most intense confrontation occurred when ERC spokesman Gabriel Rufián spoke on behalf of the victims, accusing Mazón of gross negligence and using highly inflammatory language, leading to protests from the Popular Party MPs and a plea for restraint from the committee chair. While these insults may have diverted attention from the hearing, they do not diminish its central issue.

The families of the 232 victims are still entitled to a clear account of Mazón's actions, communications, and decisions during the most disastrous hours of the disaster. Court rulings may establish criminal liability, but political accountability demands answers. To date, Mazón has provided few.