Canary Islands leader battles Spain over virus-carrying cruise ship docking

Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands government, has fiercely opposed the docking of the MV Hondius cruise ship in Tenerife. His objections centre on fears that rodents carrying hantavirus could spread the disease to the islands. The dispute has escalated into a clash with Spain’s central government over public health risks. The conflict began when the central government approved the ship’s arrival, despite Clavijo’s strong resistance. He accused officials of institutional disloyalty and demanded an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. His concerns focused on the Andes hantavirus, a strain transmissible between humans and linked to infected rodents.

Clavijo even turned to artificial intelligence in an attempt to prove that rodents could swim to shore. However, experts confirmed that the long-tailed pygmy rice rat—the natural carrier of the virus—does not exist in Europe and cannot reach the islands by swimming. Health Minister Mónica García tried to ease his worries, explaining that hantavirus does not spread easily through swimming rodents.

The president remained unconvinced, insisting no data could guarantee public safety. He warned that infected rats might still pose a risk, despite scientific reassurances. The MV Hondius was allowed to dock despite Clavijo’s protests. His demands for stricter precautions were overruled by the central government. The debate has highlighted tensions between regional and national authorities over health security measures.