– EUROPA PRESS REPORTS
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA, 7 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
More than 4,000 agents from the National Police, Civil Guard, Canarian Police, and local forces will be part of the security operation for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the Canary Islands, specifically Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
This deployment is part of a comprehensive security plan for the Pope’s stay in Spain. His visits to various locations require the movement of personnel and resources to Madrid, Catalonia, and the Canary Islands, which is crucial for ensuring safety and the smooth running of events.
Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to the Canary Islands is scheduled for 11 June when he will arrive in Gran Canaria, before moving to Tenerife the following day.
To ensure security during his transfers and events on both islands, over 2,200 units from the National Police will be deployed. Specifically, there will be 1,200 agents in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and 1,000 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, along with an additional 1,300 agents arriving from the mainland via seven flights in the days leading up to the Pope’s arrival.
Furthermore, throughout Pope Leo XIV’s stay in Spain, his personal protection detail will consist of agents from the Central Protection Unit and members of the Special Operations Group (GEO), according to the National Police.
The apostolic visit has also posed a “logistical challenge” to transport police units to the Canary Islands, with around 215 National Police agents, over 170 vehicles, and 16 dogs already deployed in Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
During the two days of the Pope’s visit to the islands, National Police agents will need to manage inter-island transfers between 11 and 12 June via a ferry route from Agaete (Gran Canaria) to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, involving more than 320 agents, 160 vehicles, and four dogs.
Additionally, the Air and Space Force will assist with the transportation of heavy vehicles, including trucks from the Operational Group for Technical Interventions (GOIT) and specialised vehicles from the Police Intervention Unit (BMR and 4×4).
MORE THAN 600 CIVIL GUARDS
The Civil Guard will deploy at least 600 officers, with 400 coming from the Las Palmas Command and 200 from the mainland, as confirmed to Europa Press by the Armed Institute.
They will also use various resources for their operations, primarily in the town of Arguineguín, in the municipality of Mogán (Gran Canaria), focusing on traffic management with 200 vehicles and around 50 motorcycles.
For the first time in the Canary Islands, the Civil Guard will establish a Mobile Citizen Attention Office in Arguineguín, while drones will monitor the area and maritime service, as Canarian Ports has announced the closure of the port on 11 June.
Finally, the regional government has indicated that the Autonomous Police will contribute approximately 200 officers across both islands. They will also mobilise 43 emergency coordination specialists supported by eight coordination vehicles, eight advanced command and coordination structures on-site, and a network of 200 TETRA radio communication terminals.
Local police forces from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, and Mogán will also participate in the security operation across the archipelago.
