SAN SEBASTIAN DE LA GOMERA, 27 Aug (EUROPA PRESS) –
The head of the Cabildo of La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo, has called for the European Union’s involvement to collaborate in addressing the migration crisis occurring in the Canary Islands and to devise a dedicated plan for the islands and the autonomous city of Ceuta. This would enable, among other things, the transfer of migrants to other member states, thereby addressing the potential impact that the anticipated rise in arrivals may have on the Canary Islands in the upcoming months.
He emphasised that the “humanitarian crisis” affecting the archipelago exceeds its ability to respond and manage, arguing that there should be heightened engagement from Europe, similar to the support offered to regions impacted by the Mediterranean route.
“This is no longer merely a matter of resources; it is about providing assistance, as we lack the capacity to care for more migrants in suitable conditions, and the situation could become exceedingly challenging,” he stated in a communiqué, expressing his support for the Canarian president, Fernando Clavijo, who has invited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to visit the archipelago.
In this context, he pointed out that this initiative has already been implemented in other regions of Europe and voiced his confusion as to why there is currently no targeted plan for this area, particularly when islands like El Hierro have received an influx of immigrants equal to their legal population within the first seven months of the year.
“These are alarming statistics that should prompt urgent reflection, with a call to community institutions to maintain the unity we have shown in the Canary Islands,” he remarked.
Curbelo characterised this crisis as a national concern and lamented its exploitation as a political tool that has stalled amendments to the Immigration Law due to disagreements among the leading political factions.
Nevertheless, he reiterated his appeal to seek, once again, a collaborative framework between the State and the autonomous communities, which would facilitate the relocation of a significant number of the nearly 6,000 unaccompanied immigrant minors currently in the care of the Canary Islands.
“This is a highly sensitive issue. It involves the lives of individuals fleeing poverty in their homeland, and the Canary Islands cannot shoulder the reality of being Europe’s southern border on its own,” asserted the island president, while insisting on the need to give more attention to the countries of origin and to engage in international cooperation programmes that support social and economic development in those regions.
