Three months after devastating floods claimed 224 lives in the Valencia region, citizens continue to demand accountability from regional authorities. Thousands of protesters took to the streets once again, urging the resignation of President Carlos Mazón and his government for their handling of the disaster.

Protesters Criticize Government Response to October Floods

On Saturday, a fourth demonstration in Valencia gathered around 25,000 people. Organized by over 200 civic, social, and trade union groups, the protest highlighted growing dissatisfaction with the regional government’s failure to act swiftly and effectively during the deadly floods last October.

Mazón, a member of the conservative Popular Party, is under heavy scrutiny for his administration’s delayed response to the catastrophe. One of the key criticisms revolves around the lack of timely flood alerts, with many residents reporting that they did not receive emergency notifications on their phones until hours after the flooding had begun.

Protesters have also expressed frustration with the slow mobilization of resources. Volunteers were often the first to arrive on the ground, while it took several days for government forces to be deployed. Furthermore, citizens contend that aid and support for the long and costly rebuilding process have been inadequate.

Mazón Defends His Government’s Actions

Despite mounting pressure, Mazón has defended his administration’s actions, stating that the scale of the disaster was unforeseeable. He claims that his government did not receive sufficient warnings from central authorities, which contributed to the delayed response. However, with the region still reeling from the aftermath of the flood, many residents remain unconvinced and continue to demand accountability.

As the region grapples with rebuilding, the political fallout continues, with protests expected to persist until citizens feel their concerns have been properly addressed.