Military Officer Appointed to Lead Reconstruction Efforts in Valencia

barcelona - Lieutenant General Francisco José Gan Pampols has been appointed by Regiopresident Carlos Mazón to lead the reconstruction efforts in Valencia after the region was hit by severe weather in October.

Regiopresident Carlos Mazón of Valencia has surprised many by appointing Lieutenant General Francisco José Gan Pampols to lead the reconstruction of the region following the devastating storms in late October. Mazón has faced heavy criticism for his handling of the flooding disaster that claimed the lives of over 200 people.

The appointment, although unexpected, comes as Mazón described the situation in the Valencia parliament on Friday as being 'comparable to a war scenario.' Pampols will design a recovery plan and oversee the coordination of rebuilding efforts in the affected areas. He will also develop a protection plan against potential future natural disasters that may strike the region.

The military officer previously led Spanish peacekeeping missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. In Valencia, he commands over 8,000 troops who are currently assisting in 69 municipalities impacted by the storm and its catastrophic aftermath. With Pampols at the helm, Mazón hopes to weather the storm until the 2027 elections. The pressure on him to resign due to his sluggish response to relief efforts is significant.

On Tuesday, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited the disaster area once again. This marked their first visit since the chaotic incident two weeks ago in Paiporta, where the royal couple was pelted with mud and other objects. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez even received a slap on the back. To prevent further disturbances, a large police presence was deployed in the three municipalities visited by the royal couple: Chiva and Utiel in Valencia, and Letur in Castile.

The king and queen met with dozens of residents, volunteers, and rescue workers in the disaster zone. The residents cheered, chanting 'long live the king' and 'long live Spain.' They were accompanied by Minister Ángel Víctor Torres and the government delegate in Valencia, Pilar Bernabé.