José Manuel Cuenca, former chief of staff to the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón, appeared for the second time before a congressional investigative commission. The hearing focused on revealed text messages sent to the then Minister of Justice and the Interior, Salomé Pradas. Despite the categorical wording in the SMSs, Cuenca denied issuing formal orders at the critical moment of the disaster, which provoked sharp reactions from the opposition.

Controversial text messages

SMSs from October 29, 2024 were made public, in which Cuenca advised Minister Pradas against announcing a stay-at-home order, instructing her to maintain calm.

Cuenca's defense line

The former chief of staff claims he did not issue operational instructions, but only cared about legal aspects and the formal structure of government communication.

Relationship with the president

During the commission, it was emphasized that Cuenca was a close confidant of Carlos Mazón and his roommate, which strengthens suspicions about his actual influence on decisions.

The hearing of José Manuel Cuenca before the investigative commission of the Spanish Congress of Deputies stirred strong emotions among parliamentarians. The central point of the confrontation became a text message sent by the official on October 29, 2024 at 19:54. Cuenca wrote to Salomé Pradas: "Salo. No quarantine management, please. Calm." This content appears to contradict the official defense line, according to which the chief of staff did not have the authority to issue operational orders during the crisis caused by the DANA phenomenon. Spain's crisis management system is based on the decentralization of powers, where regions (Autonomous Communities) bear primary responsibility for issuing alerts and coordinating rescue services in the initial phase of a natural threat.Cuenca argued before the deputies that his words were intended to ensure appropriate "legal cover" for the decisions being made, not to directly steer the rescue operation. He emphasized the complex nature of administrative relations within the Valencian government. However, left-wing party deputies accused him of trying to avoid responsibility for communication errors that may have delayed the evacuation of threatened areas. The hearing also revealed the personal relationship between Cuenca and President Carlos Mazón – namely, the fact that they were roommates in Valencia, which critics say indicates the official's informal but powerful influence at the ministerial level. The political situation surrounding the tragedy remains tense, and further testimonies expose the decision-making chaos that prevailed in the Generalitat on the day the flood wave hit. Cuenca, appearing for the second time in two months before the commission, consistently built a narrative about the lack of operational decision-making, reducing his role to an advisory and organizational function. Mazón's political opponents treat these testimonies as an attempt to protect the regional president from legal and political consequences. The commission plans further hearings to determine why key warnings to the population were sent so late, given that forecasts of extreme danger were available in the morning.

Mentioned People

  • José Manuel Cuenca — Former chief of staff to the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, testifying about the floods.
  • Carlos Mazón — President of the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencian Autonomous Community) during the crisis.
  • Salomé Pradas — Former regional Minister of Justice and the Interior, recipient of SMSs from Cuenca.