Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has urged the European border agency Frontex to strengthen cooperation with African nations by seeking permission to patrol their waters. The goal, according to Grande-Marlaska, is to save lives on the dangerous migration route from Africa to the Canary Islands, where thousands of migrants attempt perilous crossings in search of a better life in Europe.
Grande-Marlaska’s call to action follows a significant rise in irregular migration along the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, a trend that has placed increased pressure on Spanish authorities. During a meeting of EU interior ministers in Luxembourg, he emphasized the importance of reactivating the cooperation between Frontex and African nations that was successful during the last migration peak in 2006. This cooperation included intelligence gathering and operational support between Spain’s border forces and Frontex.
To effectively manage the growing number of migrants, Spain is now urging Frontex to establish formal agreements with key African countries such as Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia—nations that are either sources of migrants or transit points on the dangerous Atlantic route. By patrolling these waters and working with local governments, the Spanish minister believes that European authorities can better target human trafficking networks and curb the departures of migrants from Africa before they embark on hazardous journeys across the sea in fragile fishing boats.
“The European Union can only protect its borders from irregular migration if we engage in proactive measures outside of European territory,” Grande-Marlaska stated. He stressed the need for Frontex to enhance its capacity to manage borders and ensure the safe return of migrants, preventing the dangerous crossings that have tragically claimed many lives.
The Canary Islands have become a focal point for irregular migration, with Spanish Interior Ministry data showing that more than 26,000 migrants arrived on the islands between January and July 2024. Although the numbers remain lower than those crossing the Central Mediterranean route to Italy, the Atlantic route’s fast-growing migration flow has raised alarms. The year 2023 saw a total of 39,910 migrants arriving on the Canary Islands, a number expected to rise as global instability and economic hardship drive more people to leave their homes in search of better opportunities.
This growing influx has sparked tensions between the regional government of the Canary Islands and Spain’s central government, particularly over the handling of vulnerable migrant populations, such as the 5,000 unaccompanied minors currently in care. The strain on resources and infrastructure is testing the island’s ability to manage the ongoing crisis effectively, and many officials fear the situation will only worsen without stronger international cooperation.
The risks faced by migrants on the Atlantic route are severe. In late September 2024, a fishing boat carrying migrants overturned as rescuers approached it, leaving at least 48 people missing in what is considered the deadliest incident in the 30-year history of migration crossings to the Canary Islands. The tragedy underscored the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and rescue operations to prevent further loss of life.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended the necessity of migration, citing the country’s aging population and the need for a robust labor force to support Spain’s economy. In an address that stands out among European leaders, Sánchez pointed out that irregular migration represents only a small fraction of total arrivals and that properly managed migration could be a positive force for the country.
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