Spain asks EU border agency to patrol African waters to stop migrants

Spain's Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has urged the European border agency Frontex to patrol African waters to curb irregular migration to the Canary Islands, according to Reuters. Speaking to EU interior ministers, Grande-Marlaska suggested Frontex seek permission from countries like Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia to tackle human traffickers and prevent dangerous migrant crossings.

He emphasized that Frontex could only effectively protect Europe’s borders by extending its operations beyond them, focusing on return and border management. The Atlantic route to the Canary Islands has seen a sharp rise in irregular migration, with 26,758 arrivals by July this year, compared to 39,910 in 2023.

This surge has strained relations between the Canary Islands' regional administration and Spain's central government, especially over the care of underage migrants. The route also saw its deadliest incident in 30 years last month when a boat capsized, leaving 48 people missing.