José Manuel Bermúdez, mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, has revealed his desire to invite Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, and singer Bad Bunny to the city, provided the latter applies a 50% discount.
The mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez (CC), does not mince words. In an interview published this Sunday, the nationalist leader confessed that he would love to welcome Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado; elected Colombian president Abelardo de la Espriella; and, of course, global phenomenon Bad Bunny. However, with one condition: “If he gives us a 50% discount,” joked the mayor.
A nod to migrant communities
Bermúdez's strategy has a clear electoral component. As he explained, the largest communities in Santa Cruz after the Spanish are the Venezuelan, Italian, and Colombian. Hence, he bets on figures that connect with these groups. “We want them to feel part of the city,” he stated. Meloni and De la Espriella could also mobilise the votes of community citizens in the upcoming municipal elections.
Interestingly, the three mentioned politicians share an ultra-conservative ideology, and María Corina Machado holds no institutional position, but is a recognised activist with the Nobel Peace Prize. However, Bermúdez does not seem concerned about labels: “What matters is that they come and enjoy our land.”
Bad Bunny, a tough nut to crack
The real economic challenge is the Puerto Rican. His fee ranges from $750,000 to $1,300,000, depending on the format of the show. A figure that, for the municipal coffers, is prohibitive without a discount. Bermúdez recalled the controversial hiring of Juan Luis Guerra in 2019, which cost over 500,000 euros and ended up in the prosecutor's office, although the proceedings were archived. “We don’t want to repeat that scenario,” he warned.
The mayor also took the opportunity to criticise the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, whom he considers “out of the game” for the past three years. This stance clashes with the line of concord that Fernando Clavijo, Secretary General of CC and President of the Canary Islands, is trying to set. But Bermúdez does not hold back: “It’s been a while since Sánchez should have stepped down.”
Meanwhile, the people of Santa Cruz await with curiosity whether these dreams will come true. For now, the city is preparing for a Carnival that promises to be unforgettable, with or without a discount.
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