Full Breakdown
Increased Risks for Migrants Crossing to the Canaries Following Mauritania Crackdown
1/14/2026, 10:00:51 PM
Shift in Departure Points
In 2025, migrants from West Africa began utilizing more distant and perilous departure points to reach Spain's Canary Islands, a change attributed to a crackdown on irregular migration by Mauritania. Data from the Red Cross indicates that the number of small boats arriving from The Gambia more than doubled, increasing from nine in 2024 to 22 in 2025. Additionally, three boats from Guinea, located even further south, reached the Canaries, with one boat departing from Conakry, over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) away, taking 11 days to complete the journey.
Background of the Crackdown
The crackdown in Mauritania commenced in March 2024, following the signing of a pact with the European Union aimed at curbing irregular migration. This agreement was part of broader efforts to manage migration flows to Europe, which saw a record 46,843 arrivals in the Canaries in 2024. In response to the increasing number of migrants, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made three visits to Mauritania's capital, Nouakchott, over the past two years.
Decline in Departures from Mauritania
The Red Cross data reveals a significant decline in departures from Mauritania, which fell by 89% between April 1 and December 31, 2024, with only 23 boats leaving compared to 216 during the same period in 2023. Overall, arrivals in the Canaries from West Africa decreased by 59% in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.
Implications of Longer Journeys
Experts warn that the shift to more distant departure points increases the risks for migrants. Hassan Ould Moctar, a lecturer in the anthropology of migration at SOAS University of London, noted that longer journeys necessitate more supplies and financial resources for fuel, making the already dangerous crossings even more lethal. He stated, "The most lethal crossing to (Europe) is sadly set to become more lethal still."
Criticism of Migration Policies
Critics argue that the EU's approach to migration, particularly through agreements with countries like Mauritania, exacerbates the dangers faced by migrants. Human rights groups have raised concerns that such crackdowns do not address the root causes of migration and instead push migrants to undertake riskier routes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Red Cross reports a significant decrease in departures from Mauritania, the exact impact of the crackdown on overall migration patterns remains unclear. Some sources suggest that while arrivals have decreased, the dangers associated with longer journeys may lead to increased fatalities, a concern that has not been fully quantified.
Verbatim Quotes
- "The fact that people are leaving farther south on that route means that they have longer to travel, they need to get farther on supplies, they need money for fuel, all of which means that it's riskier still." — Hassan Ould Moctar, Lecturer in Anthropology of Migration at SOAS University of London.
