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Spanish officials say 7,270 migrants arrived in January, about as many as in the first six months of 2023
According to Spain’s marine rescue service, more than 1,000 migrants from sub-Saharan countries arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands in 18 boats over the past three days. Reports indicate that more people from West Africa can attempt the dangerous journey. Officials say 7,270 migrants arrived in January, about as many as in the first six months of 2023.
Most of the boats depart from Mauritania. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit the West African country shortly to encourage authorities in Mauritania to try to curtail the departures.
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Spain and the European Union have cooperation agreements with both Mauritania and neighboring Senegal to try to reduce the number of migrants arriving on the islands. But some young people insist on taking their chances and say there are few opportunities locally amidst political turmoil at home. Spain’s interior ministry says a record 55,618 migrants arrived by boat — most of them in the Canary Islands — last year, almost double the number of the previous year.
