Óscar Puente
ON THE RECORD · 5 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“I feel immense pain and immense sadness for the victims and their relatives... I cannot let this pain paralyse me though. We have to find solutions to this problem.”
Óscar Puente · said 2026-10-30 · reported 2026-10-30
Puente expressed grief for the victims while emphasizing the need to find solutions rather than be paralysed by the tragedy.
“My duty right now is not to talk about whether I should remain in my position, but to resolve the problem,”
Óscar Puente · said 2026-10-30 · reported 2026-10-30
Puente made this statement amid calls for his resignation following the high-speed rail collision that killed at least 69 people.
“The easy thing for me would be to leave, but neither that fits with my character nor is it what the Prime Minister has asked me to do,”
Óscar Puente · said 2026-10-30 · reported 2026-10-30
Puente refused to resign on Friday despite calls from political rivals, a trade union, and demonstrators.
“If the investigation shows there is human error we will act in consequence of that,”
Óscar Puente · said 2026-10-30 · reported 2026-10-30
Puente stated this regarding the ongoing investigation into the rail disaster near Urda.
“not going to use any worker as a shield”
Óscar Puente · said 2026-10-30 · reported 2026-10-30
Puente said this on Friday amid criticism that responsibility for the crash was being placed on individual workers.