Vigo's mayor, Abel Caballero, has confirmed that the city council has sent a letter to the Xunta de Galicia, firmly rejecting the regional government's attempt to lower the status of the Cíes Islands' recognition. In the letter, the council reiterated its position regarding the Cíes Islands' candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage status and as a Global Geopark, which are the highest qualifications awarded by the United Nations.
Caballero stated that the council has been working towards this goal for the past 20 years. He explained that the Xunta had requested in writing that the council “renounce the bid for the Cíes Islands to be designated as a World Heritage site and Geopark.” He emphasised that the council will not concede to demands to downgrade the recognition.
The mayor believes that the Cíes Islands possess “their own identity and meet the necessary criteria” for achieving this prestigious designation. He expressed discontent with the Xunta's proposal to downgrade the candidacy to “fourth category,” especially after nearly a decade of perceived obstruction from the regional government. Caballero pointed out that the Xunta had not convened even a single meeting regarding the Cíes Islands' World Heritage status.
Furthermore, he recalled that the regional government had failed in its two attempts to secure recognition through the Ribeira Sacra candidacy, which he described as “a wonderful area.”
