This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Heba Press – Muhammad Zariyouh
In a radical change in the security situation at the borders of the occupied city of Melilla, the new measures imposed since the reopening of border crossings between Morocco and Spain in 2022, after their closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, have helped reduce rates of irregular migration and limit the activity of human trafficking networks.
The media, citing Miguel Ángel Gómez Goródo, inspector general of the Foreigners and Borders Division of the National Police in Melilla, said that border crossings have become more organized, leading to better management of human flows compared to what They were before the pandemic.
Gorodo stressed that the security situation has seen a significant change thanks to these strict measures.
Before the borders closed in March 2020, the city experienced heavy daily crossing traffic, with more than 30,000 visa-free crossings, which caused great pressure on security authorities.
However, the reopening of the borders was accompanied by a series of strict measures imposed by the Moroccan and Spanish governments, which prompted irregular migrants to seek other means of entering the city, such as infiltration at the swimming or individual attempts.
On the other hand, asylum requests in Melilla have seen a notable increase, especially from citizens of Latin American countries such as Venezuela and Colombia, who prefer the city due to the short period of waiting for their maintenance compared to other regions.
In a related context, no new attempts to cross the border barrier have been recorded since the tragic incident in June 2022, which resulted in the death of 23 migrants. This calm is attributed to the increasing strengthening of security measures and preventive measures taken by the authorities.
Gorodo concluded his speech during a training course organized by the Spanish National Police on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of its founding, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation to combat irregular migration and human trafficking , praising the effective role played by its specialized unit in this field.
