In managing a major port infrastructure, navigation rules require the crew to keep the ship away from hazards. However, at the Las Palmas Port Authority, internal conflicts have moved from offices to the courts, sparking an intense debate over the limits of using public money to fund private legal defenses. The subheads in this account, which separate each paragraph, are song titles by Carlos Mejía Godoy and Los de Palacagüina.
One of the alleged reasons she is under investigation is for failing to comply with orders from the Judiciary. And that is where the question arises: Should she appear before a judge with a State Attorney when the case stems from alleged negligence? “We all know that caballo is not spelled kavayo; in other words, she should not have received coverage as Luis Ibarra did, because we all know how to read a request for information when it comes from the IGAE, Puertos del Estado or an apparently absent-minded prosecutor, which is what may have happened to her,” a lawyer consulted by Canarymaritime, familiar with what he called the “fog of war” at the Port of Las Palmas, said. In other words, a lack of information, doubt and confusion felt by commanders and soldiers during combat. The expression’s originator was Karl von Clausewitz, who explained that war is a realm of uncertainty where plans fail because of false information, delays or surprises.
Panchito Escombros
A 2024 board meeting revealed these tensions at the top of the port complex, and they have now resurfaced. The organization’s president, Beatriz Calzada, removed from the agenda of a board meeting two years ago, without explanation, a proposal to ratify the contract of a Madrid law firm for €15,000. The sum was intended to cover former president Luis Ibarra’s legal defense against the complaint for abuse of office, defamation and workplace harassment filed by the head of Public Domain, E.M., a case admitted for processing by Las Palmas Investigating Court No. 6.
Que se derramen las copas
Despite the halt in the Ibarra case, the entity did approve the disbursement of another €30,000 in public funds—€15,000 per person—to pay the lawyers for current director Francisco Trujillo and Human Resources chief Carmen Gloria Rodríguez, who has been ordered to appear before the prosecutor on September 10, 2026. At the time, both executives were defendants in the same case. They appeared to testify at the court in mid-March.
The legal background reveals a clear conflict of interest. The Port Authority allocates around €120,000 each year to the State Attorney’s Office to cover its legal representation services. However, the assistance of state lawyers has not been requested in this proceeding. Several sources within the organization point to two key reasons: the existence of a direct clash of rights—as this is a criminal dispute between public employees of the port complex itself—and uncertainty over whether the conduct under investigation was carried out within the lawful exercise of their duties.
Los Cachorros
The situation of the Human Resources chief has worsened the workplace climate. Carmen Gloria Rodríguez faces several court cases. The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) established in a final ruling proven facts describing a scenario of prolonged hostile treatment and professional marginalization within the administrative headquarters. The ruling detailed transfers lacking technical justification and the deliberate removal of duties intended to cause a worker psychological distress, identifying Rodríguez by name as responsible for those actions.
Carabina M-1
Despite this labor-court precedent and reporting to Trujillo, the Human Resources director has consolidated her executive position. This record is now compounded by proceedings over an alleged crime of cronyism opened by the court after former prosecutor Antonio López was summoned. The case began with a submission by a former employee who warned Calzada of the criminal risks of failing to open disciplinary proceedings against her. The court appearance in this case has been postponed until September 10.
Podemos ir en paz
Strong discontent has taken hold among staff and trade unions over what they view as preferential treatment. The use of public resources to defend some officials against other employees raises questions about whether the statutes permit this legal shield when the actions under investigation go beyond the scope of public duties.
The article “Defense protocol for Las Palmas Port executive under investigation: Will it mirror Ibarra’s?” was first published on canarymaritime.com.
