Investigative Reporter Speaks Out About Dining with Mazón at Dana: "Received Mysterious Calls, Yet Remained Unbothered"
In the aftermath of the devastating DANA storm that hit Valencia, one of the region's most respected journalists, Maribel Vilaplana, has shared her personal account of the events that followed.
On the evening of October 29, Maribel left her restaurant between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m. Little did she know that this would mark the beginning of a harrowing ordeal. Later that night, she met with Carlos Mazón, the President of the Generalitat, a meeting that would become the subject of much controversy.
During their meeting, Maribel acted with discretion and respect, even as the President received numerous telephone calls. However, the meeting took a sudden turn when Maribel went into shock, leading to a hospital stay.
In the days that followed, Maribel felt absolutely lost. She was proposed a position in the autonomous television, but she did not feel strong enough to take the reins and expose herself directly after the tragedy. Instead, she asked a person she trusts completely to explain on her behalf what had happened.
Carlos Mazón initially claimed he was managing the situation from the Palau, but later changed his narrative to explain that he had a private lunch that day, which later became a working lunch. His absence at the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi) was a "mismatch" that forced him to change his version repeatedly to justify his absence.
Maribel has denounced a constant harassment campaign, of insults, mockery, and unfair scrutiny towards her since the disaster. She has been under unbearable pressure and underwent psychological treatment with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress. Upon leaving the hospital, her situation was "extremely delicate."
Maribel has come to understand that it was "necessary" to "speak in the first person" about the matter. She has revealed that Carlos Mazón did not convey any concern during their meeting on October 29. Her family has suffered seeing her suffer and has had to endure the harassment with her.
Despite the challenges, Maribel's mental health has been "seriously damaged," but she remains resilient. She has become a target of political harassment, yet she continues to speak out, determined to tell her story and seek justice.
There is no information in the provided search results about whether Maribel was in contact with other people during the meal with Carlos Mazón on the day of the DANA storm before she left her restaurant. The saga continues, and Maribel's bravery in speaking out serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
