The judge of the DANA, Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, says 'no' to Carlos Mazón. The magistrate has rejected the request of the former Valencian president to appear in the case in which she is investigating the management of the heavy rainfall, according to has advanced El Levante and has been confirmed by the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community (TSJCV). The former head of the Consell, to whom the judge replies that appearing is incompatible with his condition as a witness - she herself summoned him to testify, although she has not yet set the date-, could now appeal the decision before the Provincial Court, according to the aforementioned newspaper.

The former Valencian president Carlos Mazón has asked the judge of Catarroja investigating the management of the storm, Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, to appear in the case. He has done so in a document sent to the court after the judge summoned him last week to testify –a summons that does not yet have a date– and the Valencian Superior Court of Justice (TSJPV) rejected the request to investigate him. Why is Mazón making this move now? What would he gain if his request is accepted?

The moment has arrived. The judge in Catarroja presiding over the criminal case concerning the devastating floods in the Valencian Community has summoned former regional president Carlos Mazón as a witness. The summons, which has not yet been dated, includes a request for him to voluntarily provide any messages and calls from October 29, 2024, related to the handling of the tragedy.

The Prosecutor's Office of the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community has requested the dismissal of the complaint against the judge investigating the management of the DANA, Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, for the alleged participation in the case of her husband, also a magistrate, Jorge Martínez Ribera. This was reported this Monday by the public prosecutor's office through a statement, in which it explains the reasons why it rejects the lawsuit filed a few weeks ago by the ultra agitator Rubén Gisbert with the aim of removing the magistrate.

The three judges of the Civil and Criminal Chamber of the High Court of Justice (TSJ) of the Valencian Community who will decide whether to investigate former regional president Carlos Mazón—who retains parliamentary immunity as a member of the Valencian Parliament—have been identified. They are Manuel Baeza, president of the chamber and of the Valencian TSJ; Judge María Pía Calderón, who will be the rapporteur; and Judge José Francisco Ceres. On the table is the request from Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra of Catarroja, who argues that the politician from Alicante should be charged with manslaughter, negligent injury, and failure to render aid. Before deliberating, however, they must receive the arguments from the Public Prosecutor's Office, the defense, and the plaintiffs, who have until Monday to submit their submissions. Sources close to the case have told El Ara that the three judges are "very conservative" and have emphasized that Baeza and Ceres belong to the right-wing Professional Association of Magistrates. Others, on the contrary, have pointed out that, beyond their ideology, they are "very technically prepared" judges to assume such a crucial role. We now take a brief look at their careers. The most senior is Manuel Baeza, who assumed the position of president of the Valencian High Court in 2025. However, he had already been serving as interim president for some time following the retirement of his predecessor, Pilar de la Oliva. Beside him is José Francisco Ceres Montes, best known for leading a significant portion of the investigation into the Valencian branch of the Gürtel corruption case and, in 2009, for his controversial decision to dismiss the case against Francisco Camps for bribery in the well-known "suits case." This decision was overturned by the Supreme Court, which issued a strong rebuke to Ceres's actions. Conversely, two years later, he reopened the investigation and brought dozens of former Valencian PP officials implicated in the corruption scheme to trial. Ceres and Calderón also served as rapporteurs for several dismissals of complaints against former Socialist president Ximo Puig and Health Minister Ana Barceló regarding the measures adopted during the coronavirus pandemic.

"They're my personal history. If I lose them, I'll lose half my story," Rafael laments. "Getting them back would be healing," Aurelia sighs. "It is. I've already been able to, and I'm so grateful," Amparo confirms, relieved. The conversation takes place in a house in the historic center of Paiporta, the epicenter of the devastating storm that claimed the lives of 230 people in the Valencian Community alone. The table around which the three friends sit is covered with papers and photographs. Some are images recovered from the clutches of the catastrophe; others bear witness to the indelible mark of the floods. Calmly, they review each snapshot one by one. Contemplating them awakens memories and anecdotes. Some bring a smile to their faces, others bring tears to their eyes.

Maite Gómez, former head of press for the former president of the Generalitat Valenciana Carlos Mazón, stated this Friday before the investigating judge, Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, that on the afternoon of the tragedy she was unaware that the former head of the Consell was at the restaurant El Ventorro in Valencia having lunch with communicator Maribel Vilaplana and that the information she conveyed to the media about how the PP leader managed the catastrophe was based on what seemed logical to her and not on what she actually knew. This is what she told the magistrate, according to sources present at her statement, as explained to ARA. The journalist's response annoyed the judge, who replied that she could not believe that she informed the media about the president's whereabouts on such an important day as the tragedy without first confirming it with him.

Maite Gómez, former press officer for the ex-president of the Valencian Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, testified this Friday before Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, who is presiding over the DANA case, that on the afternoon of the tragedy she was unaware that the former head of the Valencian government was having dinner at the El Ventorro restaurant in Valencia with journalist Maribel Vilaplana. In fact, she admitted that the information she provided to the media that day and in the days that followed, regarding how the PP leader handled the disaster, was based on what seemed logical to her, not on what she actually knew. This is what she told the judge, according to sources present at her testimony who spoke to ARA. The journalist's response angered the judge, who replied that it was unbelievable that she would inform the media about the president's whereabouts on such a crucial day as the DANA storm without first confirming it with him.

The far right is trying to get rid of Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, who is investigating the DANA case, and to shut down the case being investigated in the Catarroja courts. The far-right agitator and lawyer Rubén Gisbert, known for to have gotten their trousers muddy before a broadcast A woman who appeared on Cuatro in the days following the tragedy has filed a lawsuit against the magistrate for the alleged involvement and intervention of her husband, also a judge, Jorge Martínez Ribera, during statements given by victims of the torrential rains. The lawsuit, which ARA has obtained and which is also signed by three families of victims, requests that both be removed from the judiciary and that the entire investigation of the case be annulled. This request comes at a time when... Tobarra has requested that former president Carlos Mazón be charged. for manslaughter.

Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, who presided over the DANA storm case, has taken the step of requesting the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community to indict Carlos Mazón for manslaughter, negligent injury, and failure to provide assistance due to his handling of the DANA storm, which she described as "negligent inaction." This decision elevates the case to the regional court, which will have to decide on the future of the former president, who retains his protected status as a member of the Valencian Parliament. If the High Court accepts the judge's arguments, Mazón will join former Minister of Justice and the Interior Salomé Pradas and her former deputy, Emilio Agüero, who are the only other defendants in the case so far.

A new witness has further called into question the actions of former Valencian president Carlos Mazón on the day of the DANA storm. The former head of the Valencian government's driver has confirmed the falsity of the multiple versions that the PP leader and his team offered regarding their handling of the disaster and, especially, his arrival at the Palau de la Generalitat (the seat of the Valencian government) and the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (CECOPI). According to sources present at his testimony, the driver told the investigating judge on Friday that the first ES-Alert – at 8:11 p.m. – sounded while Mazón was heading to the Emergency Coordination Center, located in the metropolitan town of L'Eliana, and before he had even left the city. The driver's account coincides with the version provided by the bodyguards on February 9th, They placed the arrival of the Popular Party leader at the Palau at 7:50 p.m. "He was alone. He went up to the office and said, 'Now come down and we'll leave,'" they explained. The head of the security detail also corroborated this, admitting today that it was "exceptional" that he returned from the El Ventorro restaurant without security. "Normally, he tells us his pick-up time," he summarized.

The Valencian regional government will now pay €80,000 in compensation to the families of the victims of the devastating storm of October 29, 2024. The announcement was made this Wednesday by the head of the regional government, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, during his first question time in the Valencian Parliament (Les Corts). Until now, the families of the 230 victims had only received €72,000 in compensation from the Spanish government. The regional government had only provided aid for material damages. According to Llorca, today's payment is a further step towards helping heal the wounds of the tragedy. "It is a measure of justice with which we take another step towards helping to alleviate the damage of this unprecedented catastrophe," he summarized.

With the new year, the People's Party finally managed to steer the Valencian Community's handling of the DANA storm crisis more or less where they wanted it: Mazón was forced to resign and replaced by a new president of the Consell (although the chosen candidate wasn't even Feijóo's preferred choice; the urgent priority was removing the disgraced Mazón from the front lines). Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca—Juanfran, to his friends—now heads an executive branch that can calmly focus on what matters: taking charge of the Valencian Community's reconstruction plan after the DANA storm, a Plan Endavant (as it's called) that allocates 29 billion euros to be distributed among the regions. It's important not to forget this, because, as the poet said, this is the true heart of the matter.

The former chief of staff to Carlos Mazón infuriated the members of the parliamentary commission investigating the devastating floods on Monday, who went so far as to accuse him of lying. José Manuel Cuenca refused to explain the conversations he had with the former Valencian president on that fateful October 29, 2014, nor did he clarify the contradictions between his initial testimony before Congress and the messages later provided to the case by former regional minister Salomé Pradas. One of the most scathing critics of Cuenca was the spokesperson for Compromís, Àgueda Micó, who accused the former official of "covering up for Mazón" to prevent him from going to prison and thus guarantee himself "the Nescafé salary" he receives as a government official. advisor to the former head of the Council in his office as former president of the Generalitat - around 60,000 euros annually.

When on Monday the president of the Congressional commission on the DANA storm, Carmen Martínez (Quart de Poblet, 1962), He scolded the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez FeijóoTo try and deflect questions from Bildu deputy Oskar Matute by using the ETA trump card, many citizens were surprised by the socialist politician's composure. Her serenity didn't attract as much attention in the Valencian Community, where the progressive leader is known for her extensive career, which includes 24 years as mayor of her hometown—located next to the city of Valencia—eight years as a provincial deputy—including four as its spokesperson—and another four as a regional representative. Entering professional politics in 1999 meant leaving behind a career as a family doctor. Her medical vocation was superseded by a political commitment rooted in her family. Her grandfather, a member of the Republican Youth, was persecuted during the dictatorship and had to report to the Civil Guard barracks every week to be watched and humiliated.

Last Friday, the president of the Valencian Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, accused the Moncloa Palace (the Spanish Prime Minister's office) of treating the victims of the DANA storm as "second-class victims." His argument was that the victims of the Adamuz and Gelida train accidents would receive three times the compensation of those killed in the storm. "It's very sad and regrettable," he complained. But that's not the case. Shortly afterward, the Spanish government's delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, criticized him for the "indignity" of equating two catastrophes that "are not comparable." Even the associations of victims of the DANA storm have had to step in to refute him. The crux of the matter is that the victims of both tragedies can receive direct, non-refundable aid from the Spanish government of 72,000 euros. In other words, they receive the same amount of public money. What differs is the insurance system linked to railway tragedies, which is paid for by the insurance companies. These amounts, although not paid by the State, will be advanced in the case of Adamuz by the Moncloa Palace to prevent them from arriving years later, as on other occasions.

ETA dissolved in April 2018, eight years ago, and had abandoned armed activity in October 2011, fourteen years ago. Fortunately, it's history. But for the Spanish right, it remains the last resort when sensible and reasonable arguments run out. It doesn't matter that the violence of the terrorist group is a thing of the past and that Basque society, and Spanish society as well, have turned the page. But in the mental universe of the right, increasingly veering towards the extreme, it remains a recurring weapon. Will this unpleasant game ever end? And, turning to another issue, less scandalous but politically just as, if not more, profitable, will the trump card of the most primitive, simplistic, and demagogic anti-Catalanism ever disappear?

With a sour and belligerent tone and going on the offensive, Alberto Núñez Feijóo appeared before the Congressional committee on the woman from the Valencian Country to explain the information he had on the day of the tragedy. For three and a half hours, he used ETA's letter and avoided clarifying why the PP keeps Carlos Mazón as Member of Parliament in the Valencian Parliament —which allows him to retain his parliamentary immunity—, he blamed the Spanish government's partners for endorsing the Moncloa Palace's handling of the situation, took refuge behind the railway chaos, and resorted to an expression he repeated three times: "So brave with a resigned president and so cowardly with a sitting president."

The Valencian Ministry of Health, the Spanish Ministry of Health, and the Carlos III Health Institute have launched a study to assess the impact of the recent storm on the mental health of the population in the affected area. The project, which will run for the next three years, will attempt to detect the emergence of problems such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and difficulties in carrying out daily activities. The study aims to understand how the disaster has affected the emotional well-being of the population in order to use the results to guide the planning of control measures and support services needed to respond to weather events of this kind, "improving the capacity of health and social authorities." The work will also reveal the frequency of likely depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, as well as identify personal, sociodemographic, social support, or disaster-related factors that may influence the mental health of the victims. The study population includes people over five years of age residing in one of the 37 municipalities and four districts of Valencia affected by the disaster, totaling 608,772 citizens. The Valencian Institute of Statistics has already conducted a stratified random sample by census tract, socioeconomic level, degree of impact, age, and sex. This has resulted in a sample of at least 8,153 adults and 2,718 people between the ages of six and seventeen. Those selected will receive an invitation to participate by mail. Those who accept will be interviewed, either in person or by telephone, and these interviews will be repeated periodically to assess their progress.

Former Valencian Secretary of the Presidency Cayetano García denied on Thursday before the judge investigating the handling of the DANA storm in the Valencian Community that he informed the then-President of the Valencian Government, Carlos Mazón, on the day of the disaster about the consultation made by the team of the then-Minister of Justice and the Interior, Salomé Pradas, to the emergency services. According to sources familiar with his testimony who spoke to ARA, the former official asserted that he did not know whether Mazón supported the measure or not, and that the former minister also did not tell him that she had tried to speak with the former president before calling him.