Debate contributions by Gabriel MATO

Madam President, dear Madam Vice-President, I have often been heard in this rostrum denouncing the atrocities of dictator Nicolás Maduro against the people of Venezuela. And I have done it in the face of the complicit silence of those who today tear their clothes for the departure of the tyrant or those others who today take breast, but denied the Sakharov prize to María Corina Machado. What hypocrisy! We are talking about a regime that has been characterized by its cruelty. Repression, abductions, enforced disappearances, torture and murders marked the daily lives of Venezuelans. Faced with this and that perpetual state of fear and oppression, more than seven million Venezuelans were forced to flee the country, which constituted the largest diaspora in modern history. Fortunately, today we can speak of hope and hope for the Venezuelan people in their tireless struggle to recover peace, freedom and democracy. It is naive to believe that the regime was going to fall by its own weight and it cannot be defended or excused because we do not speak of a democratic leader. Recall that Nicolás Maduro usurped power in 2024, ignoring the will of the vast majority of Venezuelans who voted in favor of Edmundo González, who is the legitimate president of Venezuela. Now a new chapter opens for the Venezuelan people, that of freedom. Venezuela will have the full support of the European Union and Parliament to move towards a peaceful and democratic transition that, I stress, must be led by Venezuelans.

Mr President, of course environmental policy is important, but it cannot always be at the expense of the most vulnerable. The Canary Islands and the outermost regions cannot be the ones to foot the bill for our sustainability ambitions. We cannot allow key sectors, such as the port, to be sacrificed without any counterpart and without any exception. The regulations on emissions trading, as well as those on sustainable fuels, pose a serious threat to the competitiveness of the outermost regions, and especially that of the Canary Islands, since their imposition means that ships that previously landed in the Canary Islands now do so in African ports, where they are not subject to the same rules. The Sustainable Fuels Regulation exposes regions such as the Canary Islands to unfair competition, without providing guarantees in return. This threat affects not only the port sector, but the entire economy of the islands, which largely depends on the competitiveness of our ports and their ability to attract ships and have agile and affordable connectivity. It is therefore necessary that, when the Commission makes the follow-up report to this Regulation, it pays particular attention to its effects on the port economy of the outermost regions and takes the necessary measures to protect a strategic sector.

Mr President, the debate on the future multiannual financial framework is not just about figures, it is about the kind of Europe we want. And, for me, it's clear: We want a Europe that does not turn its back on its fishermen, its farmers or its outermost regions. The "single national plan" approach proposed by the Commission is a mistake, as it would dismantle decades of common European policy. The CAP, POSEI and the Common Fisheries Policy are a real European achievement and their budget must remain European. As I come from the Canary Islands, let me emphasise the situation of the outermost regions. The Commission proposal puts at risk the specific treatment guaranteed by Article 349 TFEU and the future of POSEI. We need to strengthen it, increase its budget and also have a well-endowed seabed for fisheries and aquaculture. It is about fairness, food sovereignty and the credibility of the European project: a truly common policy for all European fishermen and farmers, including those in the most remote regions.

Mr President, one fact: in 2024, 11 people committed suicide in Spain every day, a total of 3 843 people throughout the year. The very idea must freeze our blood. On the eve of World Mental Health Day, I want to stress that we are in a critical situation. The pandemic and the economic deterioration of recent years have further aggravated the situation, especially among young people where cases of depression have doubled. These are the very young people we are bequeathing the responsibility to build Europe's future. And I cannot fail to refer to my island of La Palma, where, after the eruption of the volcano, the aftermath of it is still well present in all areas. This must change. We cannot allow mental health to remain a hidden burden in our societies. We must be ambitious in our goals: reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, improve access to quality services and support the most vulnerable groups. No matter how many laws, meetings and debates we have; If we don't get that seeking help and wanting to be better are normal things, we won't have achieved anything. Mental health can't wait.

Madam President, none of you will be surprised to hear me talk about the importance of Latin America for Europe. But reiteration makes it neither less certain nor less urgent. This report is proof that this Parliament finally understands the need we have for Latin America. The European Union wants to develop an effective foreign policy. Let's start with the easy thing, let's consolidate our relationship with Latin America that in a way has already waited a long time for us. If we want to be able to compete with China, with Russia, with the United States, for the friendship of the Latin American republics and their societies, we cannot be content with half-measures. We have to turn to the region and we have to be constant. Trade agreements are fundamental, but they are only the beginning. We must fight together those evils that afflict us both and we cannot ignore the democratic backsliding in the region. The regimes of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua are a clear example of this. The EU-CELAC Summit can be a day that goes down in history or it can join the regrettable list of half-empty summits that achieve nothing. I'm clear about what our bet should be. That is why I would like to call on all Heads of State and Government not to miss this opportunity.

Madam President, Commissioner, we are talking about agricultural policy and we are saying yes to simplification, yes to the protection of our farmers and yes to adequate funding. And especially for the outermost regions. The new CAP has to respect Article 349 of the Treaty which provides for specific treatment for these regions due to their isolation, insularity, dependence on imports and higher production costs. And something fundamental: we cannot allow the dismantling of POSEI, which addresses the permanent challenges and constraints of our outermost regions. POSEI is not a luxury scheme: Without POSEI, farmers in these regions would not be able to compete, or even survive economically. Dear Commissioner, in the Canary Islands we trust you, a CAP with less bureaucracy and a well-endowed POSEI. And never forget that the outermost regions are ultra-important for Europe.

Mr President, Madam Vice-President, it is not usual for us to talk about Colombia in this House, but today, unfortunately, we do so because of the difficulties that a friendly country is going through. Violence has become a daily occurrence in many departments of the country and organized crime has thrived in the shadow of a conflict that does not seem to end. This summer we have experienced the murder of Miguel Uribe Turbay, senator and presidential candidate, in an act that is not an isolated event. There are lethal attacks in Antioquia, Florence and Cali. Violence against political actors, human rights defenders, journalists, social leaders and security forces escalates and calls into question not only electoral guarantees, but trust in institutions. We demand that the authorities investigate these facts and that the perpetrators and their instigators be persecuted, because in the face of violence there can be no equidistance, much less the hate speech that contributes to increasing polarization and political violence, generating great instability in the country. Instability that is also fueled because the Maduro regime, in its alliance with the narcos, allows organizations such as the ELN or some FARC dissidents to take refuge and operate in their territory, from where they can continue to sow terror in Colombia. It is precisely for this reason that it is time for FARC dissidents and also the Cartel of the Suns to be declared as terrorist organizations. And that we demand that those who do so much to end the peace of a friendly country be persecuted. In the face of violence and organized crime, Colombia needs our full support, and the resolution we are presenting today goes in that direction. No more violence.

Madam President, Commissioner, over the past five years, the Canary Islands have faced enormous challenges: a persistent migration crisis, a devastating volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma, my island, prolonged droughts and the growing effects of climate change. The Canary Islands meet the same requirements as any European, but with many more difficulties derived from remoteness and insularity. That is why European Union aid is not a privilege, it is a necessity. The Canary Islands need to ensure their connectivity, their ability to cope with the transition to a new green and digital economy or the crisis generated by homelessness and youth unemployment. And all this requires receiving and taking full advantage of the aid that comes from the European Union. For all these reasons, the Canary Islands, like the rest of the outermost regions, need cohesion funds to be maintained and, in addition, to be strengthened and allowed to adapt them to our priorities. Only then will we be able to move at the same pace as the rest of Europe.

Madam President, Commissioner, we all agree on one key message: Without agriculture our future is called into question and we need an appropriate financial framework. Although this is true for continental Europe, in the outermost regions such as the Canary Islands it is a more obvious reality, if possible. In our case, the need to be self-sufficient and to provide us with quality food at a good price is imperative. It is an objective that we must achieve and that we largely achieve thanks to POSEI. It is therefore essential that, in view of the revision of this instrument, at least the financial statement – which, I remind you, has been stagnant for 13 years – be updated in order to be able to respond to inflation and increases in production costs. We need this item to be expanded to meet the challenges. I think the way forward is obvious: We need a strong, well-endowed and less bureaucratic CAP and a POSEI to ensure that the outermost regions can continue their rural development.

Madam President, Madam High Representative, will Cuba ever be free? That is the longing of José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro, who were arrested, revoking their parole without any justification. But it's not just them: Luis Manuel Otero, Maykel Osorbo, Berta Soler, the Guillermo Fariñas Sakharov Prize, Rosa María Payá – who took over from her father Oswaldo – and so many others are persecuted. Your crimes: support their compatriots and defend a free and democratic Cuba. In the face of this, the European Union cannot continue to ignore what is happening in Cuba. We are facing an unbearable humanitarian crisis. We are talking about thousands of political prisoners subjected to brutal treatment by the Cuban regime and hundreds of thousands of people forced to leave the island. Today they denied the visit to the wife of José Daniel Ferrer. And I ask: How long are we going to remain accomplices? Madam High Representative, that's enough. We have repeatedly called for the implementation of the human rights clause of the Agreement with Cuba. And we ask again. What else does it take for them to act? You have a chance to tell us today: Why don't they do it? There's no excuse. Seven years ago we supported the Agreement and today we have to rescind it. We cannot continue to protect the Cuban regime or fund its organizations. It is time to start truly supporting those who defend democracy and fight for a better and freer Cuba. Enough with the words. We need action.

Mr President, Commissioner, we welcome the debate on an oceans pact that is part of the competitiveness of the European Union's economic sectors. However, when it comes to fishing, the experience so far does not allow us to be very optimistic. This pact cannot be used to impose further restrictions on fisheries and aquaculture under the pretext of environmental protection. Nor should it be an excuse for the Commission to postpone urgent action in the face of the challenges facing the sector: the dramatic situation of the fleet in the Mediterranean, the correct implementation of the Fisheries Control Regulation, the removal of regulatory and financial obstacles to modernise and decarbonise the fleet, to incentivise young people to join the profession, to lift the ban on bottom fishing in 87 areas of the Atlantic and, in particular, to correct the abuse of applying it to longlines, as well as to start working on a future Common Fisheries Policy. A policy that recognises the strategic importance of fisheries and aquaculture within the European Green Deal, food security and the strategic autonomy of the European Union by placing these sectors at the heart of European policies and the oceans pact itself. The reality is that, in the context of maritime spatial planning, fisheries and aquaculture are often marginalized from other more influential sectors, such as oil extraction, tourism, mining or marine energy. We do not exclude support for these sectors, but we must ensure a fair sharing of maritime space, inclusive dialogue and harmonious coexistence among all actors. If we don't do this, we will have failed.

Mr President, when we talk about the next budgets, as a Canarian, I cannot fail to draw attention to the importance of POSEI and the need to adapt it to the current situation. That is why we welcome the inclusion of our amendment in the report on the general guidelines for the preparation of the 2026 budget. The POSEI financial statement has not been updated for 13 years and it is time for us to amend it to reflect the increase in costs due to inflation and the increase in energy prices, and thus ensure that agriculture in the Canary Islands continues to enjoy the necessary support from the Union. But more importantly, and looking beyond 2026, negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework will start soon and we must ensure that all farmers in the Union receive financial support, especially those in the outermost regions. Parliament is doing its part; even the European Commission has recognised that these regions require a strong commitment from the EU. It is now up to Spain and the other Member States to ensure that this commitment is not in vain. From the European People's Party we will continue fighting to improve financial support to the Canarian agricultural sector, now and beyond 2027, reaffirming our commitment to the agricultural sector, to POSEI and to its...

Mr President, Commissioner, agriculture is a fundamental sector, not only because of its economic impact, but also because of its weight on the way of life of millions of Europeans. And, if this is important in continental Europe, believe me that it is much more so in the outermost regions such as the Canary Islands. After all, we are very far away, even if we feel very close. That is why it is essential that agriculture thrives in the outermost regions, you mentioned, and that those who are engaged in it can continue to do so. This requires the assistance of the European Union. We must understand that the added value of agriculture comes not only from its contribution to GDP, but also from its contribution to our food security, from its role in maintaining our traditional communities and giving life opportunities to the population in rural areas, allowing them to stay with their own. It is therefore essential that, in view of the revision of the programme of options specific to remoteness and insularity (POSEI), the financial statement – which, I remind you, has been stalled for 13 years – be updated in order to be able to respond to inflation and increases in production costs. If we have a system that is giving good results, let's bet on it and give it the financial support it needs to continue meeting its objectives.

Madam President, the EU-Mercosur agreement is not just another trade agreement. It's about talking about the future. We risk our ability to remain a relevant player in global trade, to generate growth and jobs and to open the doors to a market of seven hundred and fifty million consumers. Undoubtedly, it has clear benefits, among others, the elimination of four billion euros in tariffs, access to strategic markets, the greater presence of our industries and SMEs and the protection of more than three hundred geographical indications. Having said that, I understand and share, quite clearly, the concerns of the agricultural sector. We can't ignore them. But let's be clear: the problem of our agricultural sector is not Mercosur, it is the European agricultural policy designed without taking into account the reality of the countryside. If our producers feel threatened by this agreement, it is because agricultural policy does not offer them the necessary tools to compete and this is what must change. That is why, rather than blocking the agreement, what we must do is reform our agricultural policy so that it does not penalise our producers with suffocating rules, ensure effective safeguards that protect vulnerable sectors quickly and effectively and ensure a fair and scalable compensation fund that actually works and adapts when necessary. It is not about choosing between trade and agriculture, it is about doing things right and analyzing with updated data where the source of the problem is and looking for solutions to it. Refusing to ratify this agreement will not solve the problems of the agricultural sector and will send a message that Europe renounces being a leader and prefers to let others seize our opportunities.

Mr President, unfortunately millions of Latin Americans still live under despotic and criminal governments. Nicaragua is one such case. Ortega and Murillo continue to oppress their population, ruthlessly crushing anyone who dares to raise their voices against them. It is a regime that pursues all expression of freedom among civil society, which it cruelly represses. The persecution of the Catholic Church is a clear example of this. It is a regime that just ten days ago approved a constitutional reform that faithfully reflects what Nicaragua is today: a brutal dictatorship. They don't hide and we shouldn't tolerate it. Democracy is not, and cannot be, an empty word. We say to defend it and we must accompany our words with deeds. We must persevere in personal sanctions and make sure that those responsible for the suffering of millions of Nicaraguans know that we are persecuting them. It is time to activate the human rights clauses of the Association Agreement and consider excluding the Nicaraguan Assembly from any interparliamentary meeting. This time, Parliament has the capacity to act and must do so.

Mr President, 'intolerable, but not surprising': That could be the headline every time we talk about the Maduro regime. We have demanded again and again the return of democracy to Venezuela. We have defended and presented the cause of the Venezuelan opposition. We have called for action on countless occasions, because Venezuela concerns us, and we are rightly concerned. We saw with sadness how a tyrannical and criminal regime continues to oppress its population and yet it seems that it does not matter: On January 10 we observed the farce of Maduro's proclamation as president of the country. Maybe some of you were surprised. I've said it a thousand times, but I'll keep saying it: We cannot negotiate with Maduro. There is nothing to dialogue with a tyrant like him. We must continue to support the opposition and increase sanctions, because we are either with democracy and freedom or we are with the dictator and his criminal government. I offer my full support to Maria Corina, Edmundo and the democratic opposition in Venezuela. Know that you are not alone: in Europe we support and encourage them in their struggle to return democracy to Venezuela.

Mr President, today, World Mental Health Day, I would like to remind you that we are in a critical situation. One in six Europeans suffers from a mental disorder. One in two Europeans has experienced some kind of emotional or psychological problem in the past year. And 46% have not sought professional help. Among young people, cases of depression have doubled. This must change. We cannot allow mental health to remain a hidden burden on our societies. Our goal must be more ambitious: reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, improve access to quality services and support the most vulnerable groups. It doesn't matter how many laws, meetings, and debates we have if we don't get that seeking help and wanting to be better are normal things. If we do not act now, the scars on future generations will be irreparable. Mental health can't wait.

Mr. President, dear Vice President, this is the data. More than thirty-five thousand migrants have arrived in the Canary Islands so far this year. Thousands dead and missing and more than three thousand unaccompanied minors. An island, the island of El Hierro, which can no longer. He gives his all, but he can't take it anymore. And an archipelago, the Canary Islands, southern border of Europe, which throws a heartbreaking cry for help. Faced with this, the Government of Spain states that everything is under control and that there are sufficient means. But the tragedy continues. There's no answer. The priorities of the Government of Spain are different, but the drama continues. One dead every forty-five minutes. In their desperation and in the face of the insensitivity of the Government, from the Canary Islands they look to Europe and ask for help. And Europe does respond. Vice-President Schinas went to the Canary Islands to offer the help that the Canary Islands need, and I thank him for that. The Frontex Director offers help. It all starts with the request from the Spanish authorities. You said in this Parliament that the absence of this petition does not allow us to help. But Spain does not ask for it. The European Asylum Agency says it's willing to help, but they can't force those who don't want to. And the Government of Spain does not want to. Europe provides funds for reception infrastructure, for unaccompanied minors, but Spain does not ask for them. Europe is ready to help the distribution of minors, but the Government of Spain rejects this aid. He prefers to impose in Spain that distribution which he denies in Europe. It's not fiction; is the sad reality of abandonment: the Government of Spain to the Canary Islands.

Madam President, Commissioner, if yesterday we were debating Venezuela, today we are debating Cuba, one of the worst dictatorships in Latin America and which, unfortunately, we continue to finance through the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, but today we are also talking about José Daniel Ferrer, a clear example of the cruelty of the Cuban regime in the repression of its population. He has been in prison since his participation in the 2021 democratic protests; Since then, he has spent long periods in solitary confinement and we are currently unaware of his state of health and also of his situation. Like him, hundreds of Cubans remain imprisoned and incommunicado, disappeared, having committed no greater crime than defending freedom and democracy in their homeland; many of them in a very delicate state of health, while the regime refuses to provide them with the healthcare they need. Despite all the excesses of the Cuban regime, despite the fact that we know that it has openly collaborated with the Putin regime by sending thousands of fighters to Ukraine, despite the fact that Cuba is the main support of the rest of the dictatorships in the region ... we continue to deal with them as if nothing happened. It is time for us to stand on the side of freedom and democracy in Cuba. We must suspend the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement by making use of its human rights clauses; We must also punish the criminals who perpetuate human rights violations, as well as demand the immediate release of Daniel Ferrer and the rest of the regime's political prisoners. We always talk about our support for all those who defend democracy in the world: It is time for us to show that these are not empty words, it is time for us to start acting to really get democracy back to Cuba.

Madam President, Commissioner: murders, torture, kidnappings, disqualifications, persecution, political prisoners, almost eight million people forced to leave their land. Yes, we're talking about Venezuela. And if they thought they had seen everything, they are very wrong. From a tyrant and his environment you can always expect more. On July 28, elections were held in which, on the part of the regime, all obstacles were put in the way of the opposition led by María Corina Machado and, after her unjust disqualification, represented by Edmundo González. Despite all the shameful maneuvers, Maduro was resoundingly defeated at the polls by a people fed up with the dictatorship and who voted massively for the opposition and for what it represents: freedom, democracy, peace, justice, well-being. Precisely for this reason we cannot admit that the desire of millions of Venezuelans who, despite the difficulties and putting their freedom and even, in some cases, their lives at risk, have clearly said at the polls, "Enough is enough!" And in the face of that we cannot remain impassive. Given that, there is no room for equidistance. Faced with this, we can only be accomplices of the dictatorship or be with democracy. It's clear to me: I am with the people of Venezuela. That is why we ask that Edmundo González be recognized as a legitimate and democratically elected president. That is why we condemn the electoral fraud of Maduro and his main ally, the CNE. That's why we support the International Criminal Court holding Maduro accountable. That is why we strongly condemn the murders, kidnappings, arrests and continuous human rights violations that the regime perpetrates against its people and the opposition. That is why we demand the immediate release of all political prisoners. That is why we ask that sanctions be tightened against Nicolás Maduro's environment and why I join the demonstration convened around the world for September 28.