The president of the Balearics, Marga Prohens, has claimed that there is a ‘perfectly organised mafia’ in Mallorca that picks up migrants arriving in small boats in vans. The head of the regional government made these statements on Wednesday when asked about the Formentera Council’s intention to take legal action against the regional government if it refuses to take responsibility for minors.
She claimed that this was a ‘proven’ fact, as had happened in one of the last boats to arrive at s’Estanyol, in the Migjorn region of Mallorca. Prohens argued that this ‘non-immigration policy’ and ‘non-foreign policy’ of the Spanish government is causing a ‘pull effect’ that the regional government ‘can no longer resist’, while criticising it for being more “concerned” with ‘defending itself against corruption cases’ than with ‘defending the citizens of the Balearics’.
She also said that she ‘understands’ and “empathises” with the situation in Formentera and is therefore ‘standing shoulder to shoulder’ with the president of the Formentera Council, Óscar Portas, to demand that those with responsibility for immigration take action. However, she pointed out that the island’s governing body already has jurisdiction over minors, so it is not a case of these powers being ‘transferred’ and they are not intended for a “massive” arrival of migrant minors, but rather for minors under the care of the Council of Mallorca.
Prohens stressed that he joins the institution’s calls for the central government ‘not to leave it alone’. ‘The Balearics have been completely abandoned by the government and are in a state of public alarm because boats are arriving off the coast and near people’s homes,’ she said. For these reasons, she said she would do ‘everything in her power’ to stop this ‘call effect’ with initiatives such as age testing and ‘regulating’ the aid received by migrants.
The president pointed out that this situation is ‘compromising’ the resources of the autonomous community and the island councils because ‘they can’t take any more’. She stressed that they have requested a meeting between the four island presidents, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Immigration, Magnus Brunner, and another with the government delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez.
She asked Rodríguez to ‘stop sitting on the fence’ and accused him of being ‘on holiday’ since he took office, calling on him to side with the island councils and the regional government. ‘There is a Spanish government that does not govern, but resists. A Spanish government that does not defend the Balearics, but defends itself in the courts. If they can’t do any more, they should call elections because the regional government can’t do any more either,’ she said.
When asked if anyone had been arrested in recent hours in connection with the mafia-style organisation that she alleges exists in Formentera, Prohens referred the question to the Government delegate himself, who ‘has the authority’, and reproached him for ‘denying that there is a route between Algeria and the Balearics’. ‘They may deny it in the offices in Madrid, but on the streets it is very clear that it exists,’ she concluded.
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Firstly, appreciation for Sra. Prohens for stating clearly that one of the causes of human trafficking is the local mafia. However, they’re not only receiving the arrivals, they’re part of the entire system. It’s a syndicate of criminal gangs shipping people from Africa into Europe. Yet the opinions of so many casual observers and commentators is that it’s the individuals who have been shipped who should be treated like criminals. If I’m understanding correctly, Formentera - in stating they can’t cope - want to offload illegally smuggled minors to the mainland? What happened to humanity to so easily refute the responsibility of care. It’s not only a reprehensible approach, but one that is completely shortsighted – does the Formentera President truly believe that those kids will choose to stay on the tiny island? Soon enough, they’ll attempt to swim to Ibiza in order to then get to the mainland themselves. I expect the plan was to land in Ibiza, get picked up there, then put on a local boat or ferry to the peninsula. Where they end up then is anyone’s guess. Which is precisely what the Policia Nacional should be busying itself with – why they are being smuggled. Is it only for short term profit; take money to ship them? Or are the mafiosos exploiting them for longer term gain eg enslaved into criminality? Formentera’s dereliction of care is only exacerbating the problem. I admire the audacity of Sra. Prohens calling out Sr. Rodriguez “of being ‘on holiday’ since he took office.” But, isnt this just another example of Spain’s civil service culture; to do as little as possible?
Roger JonesSending them to Madrid will only transfer the problem onto that region’s government and local authority both also governed by the PP. It would have no effect whatsoever on Sánchez.
LovedSollerSending them to Madrid isn’t deporting them! It’s the same country! I think you need some geography lessons!
Europe soon to be Eurasia! Don't say i didn't warn you!
Roger JonesSee my other comment = you CANNOT ‘deport’ them!
Unfortunately the disaster that is the ECHR means you are stuck with anyone who breaks in to your Country. And maritime ‘law’ means you have to ‘rescue’ people in ‘distress’. Plus you are the first ‘safe haven’ under the Dublin accord (EU rules) and so you have to take them. This needs to be an absolute Code Red for the Islands. If you think tourism is a problem you wait until all your hotels are full of illegals.
Deport the illegal to Madrid migrants immediately - use some of the additional police to catch some migrant smugglers instead of tormenting tourists for buying a trinket from an illegal street trader (or similar) - put the illegal traders on the same plane to Madrid (and all other illegals)... let Sanchez and his corrupt friends use some of the money they refused to contribute to NATO and our extra taxes to try and solve the problem at a national level... here in Mallorca we certainly don't have any spare accommodation or resources to manage the problem... Sanchez and his clowns in Madrid could also use some of the additional money they are earning from imposing excessive airport arrivals on us!