The Balearic Government is considering requesting the intervention of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, to stop the arrival of small boats to the archipelago if the lack of effective response from the central government persists. This was announced by the spokesman of the Govern, Antoni Costa, who stressed that the situation has exceeded the capacity of the islands.
Alarming increase in arrivals in 2024
During the year 2024, 5,924 irregular immigrants arrived on the Balearic coasts, an increase of 160% over the previous year. This constant flow has consolidated the migratory route between Algeria and the archipelago, generating unprecedented pressure on reception resources. In addition, the Majorcan Institute of Social Affairs (IMAS) took in 367 unaccompanied foreign minors last year, 103% more than in 2023. The four island councils have reported an oversaturation of 650% in the reception services for minors, a figure that reflects the magnitude of the challenge.
The Government’s position
The Balearic Government flatly rejects the possibility of taking in unaccompanied minors from the Canary Islands, arguing that local resources are already stretched to the limit. “It is not a question of solidarity, it is a question of capacity,” Costa emphasized, stressing that the problem lies in the lack of measures to deal with the growing volume of boats. Costa also criticized what he described as “neglect of functions” by the central Executive, stressing that the disinterest in managing the migratory route forces the Govern to consider alternatives. “Sooner or later we will have to see if we demand the intervention of Brussels,” he said, highlighting the possibility of resorting to Frontex to make up for the lack of action by the Spanish government.
A consolidated route that demands urgent solutions
The migratory pressure towards the Balearic Islands not only compromises local resources, but also poses a significant challenge to border control and humanitarian management in the region. In this context, the Govern considers that the direct involvement of the European Union could be key to alleviating the situation.
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