In 2020, a scandal erupted in the Canary Islands over a large-scale purchase of medical masks. The regional health authorities approved a contract worth over 12 million euros with a company linked to businessman Víctor de Aldama. However, not everyone within the department was convinced that this deal was justified.
One of the heads of the procurement department raised concerns that similar masks had previously been purchased at a lower price. She pointed out to her colleagues that the unit cost in the new contract was significantly higher than in past purchases. Despite these remarks, management insisted on moving forward with the agreement, citing recommendations from central authorities.
Ministry interference and vague conditions
It soon became clear that the approval process was not limited to the regional level. Representatives from the Ministry of Transport, as well as advisers close to the then-minister, joined the negotiations. Correspondence between officials discussed delivery volumes and payment terms, with part of the amount to be paid in advance.
Some health department staff wondered why special conditions were chosen for this purchase, rather than standard procedures. They were concerned that transportation costs for the masks, which should have been covered by the supplier, were billed separately as logistics fees by the company.
Internal disagreements and subsequent actions
Despite internal disagreements, the deal went through. Later, it turned out that part of the payment had been delayed, and only after the supplier threatened legal action did high-ranking officials step in. As a result, the remaining sum was paid and the masks were delivered to the region’s warehouses.
It was later revealed that the company already had experience handling government contracts, which, according to some officials, was a sign of quality. Nevertheless, questions regarding transparency and price justification remained unanswered. The agency claimed that the product’s quality had been confirmed by laboratory tests, but some employees continued to doubt the correctness of the decision.
Consequences and new details of the investigation
An investigation launched several months later uncovered that the supplier had received special access to government contracts. In particular, it was found that significant monthly payments were made to intermediaries to promote the company’s interests in various agencies. This fact became a key reason for further scrutiny of the deal’s circumstances.
The story of mask procurement in the Canary Islands illustrated how, in an emergency, controversial decisions and internal conflicts among officials can arise. Transparency and efficient use of public funds remain pressing issues for regional authorities.
