Former head of Civil Protection, Antonio Rivero, asserts the recent earthquakes could have been anticipated through proactive vulnerability reduction. He attributes the delayed response in disaster zones to the dismantling of the Civil Protection agency. Rivero, an expert in risk management, criticizes the current state of institutional preparedness. He implies a lack of resources and strategic planning contributed to the impact of the seismic events. The expert suggests bolstering Civil Protection is crucial for future disaster mitigation. His statements highlight concerns about the nation’s ability to effectively respond to natural disasters due to weakened infrastructure and response systems. Rivero’s warning underscores the importance of investing in preventative measures and maintaining a robust emergency response framework.