The former President of the Canary Islands, Manuel Hermoso Rojas, has died at the age of 89. His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his party, Coalición Canaria.
Hermoso was born in La Laguna, Tenerife, and led the regional government from 1993 to 1999, after first serving as vice president for two years.
Before entering regional politics, he spent 18 years as the mayor of Santa Cruz and was elected to the Spanish Congress in 1986.
Paying tribute, Coalición Canaria described him as “a colleague, a teacher and a key figure in Canarian nationalism,” adding: “Part of what the Canary Islands are today is thanks to him. His legacy will live on forever.”
Current Canary Islands President, Fernando Clavijo, said the islands had been left “orphaned” by his death, calling him “a leader who guided his homeland through difficult times.” He added, “A mentor, a friend, a politician, and an example of what public service should be, especially nowadays, has left us. He once said the greatest honour for a Canarian was to serve as president. I can’t think of a better farewell than simply: until always, El Presidente.”
Spain’s Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, who was also once president of the Canary Islands, sent his condolences to Hermoso’s family and the whole nationalist community on the islands.
Torres recalled Hermoso’s role during the pandemic, saying: “He left a deep mark on Canarian politics. I remember his advice and insights when, in the most difficult moments of the pandemic, he joined a meeting with other former presidents of the islands.”
