The European Parliament approved a fact-finding mission to the cities of Barbate and Algeciras, areas particularly affected by drug and human trafficking networks. The initiative, promoted by the deputy Mireia Borrasby Vox, seeks to directly assess the working and security conditions of law enforcement in these regions, faced with high levels of crime and the precariousness of their resources.
The mission, known as a Fact-finding Visit, aims to analyze existing security measures and determine the socio-economic impact of organized crime in these areas. According to Borrás, this action responds to growing concern about the Spanish government’s lack of support for officers who work in very dangerous environments.
A structural problem
The situation of the security forces in Barbate and Algeciras has been a source of debate in recent years. In February 2024, the assassination of two civil guards during an anti-drug operation in Barbate shocked the country. This tragic event highlighted the lack of resources and equipment faced by agents responsible for fighting highly organized criminal networks.
During her speech to the European Parliament, Mireia Borrás denounced that these incidents are the result of “governmental apathy”. According to the MP, law enforcement agencies are exposed to constant risks due to the lack of adequate equipment and insufficient support from the central government. “Our agents work in unacceptable conditions, while the government continues to ignore the needs of the areas most affected by drug trafficking,” Borrás said.
Listen to affected communities
One of the priorities of this mission will be to dialogue with local authorities, representatives of the security forces and relatives of victims of violence linked to drug trafficking. This will allow deputies to have a global vision of the difficulties encountered by the communities of Barbate and Algeciras.
The delegation will also assess the socio-economic impact of organized crime in these locations. Drug trafficking not only represents a security problem, but also affects the local economy, hindering the development of these regions. According to VOX, the lack of investment in infrastructure and security measures is making the situation worse.
Criticism of the Spanish government
MP Mireia Borrás has been particularly critical of the actions of Pedro Sánchez’s government in the face of this problem. In his speech he stressed that the inaction of the socialist executive leaves the most vulnerable regions of southern Spain without protection against the advance of organized crime.
Borrás also highlighted the importance of a more active role for Europe in solving these problems, as he considers drug trafficking and human trafficking to be challenges that transcend national borders. “It is essential that European institutions understand the seriousness of the situation and take measures to support Spain in this fight,” he said.
Mission expectations
The fact-finding mission to Barbate and Algeciras will be an opportunity to put the difficult reality faced by security forces and local communities at the center of the European debate. For Mireia Borrás, this effort aims not only to make the problem visible, but also to generate concrete recommendations that can be implemented both at national and European level.
The MP hopes that the visit will serve to demonstrate the need for greater commitment from the Spanish government and lay the foundations for a more effective action plan. “We cannot allow our agents to continue working in these conditions nor our communities to live under the yoke of drug trafficking,” Borrás concluded.
