Fernando Clavijo (San Cristóbal de la Laguna, 1971), president of the Canary Islands, is putting all his efforts into responding to the worst migration crisis the islands are experiencing. Even so, it seems that he is running into an obstacle: the difficulties in Spanish politics to reach major state agreements. Clavijo, who in his efforts to solve the migration emergency has also been received by Pope Francis (in January), speaks to LA RAZÓN a few hours after a new thousand migrants have arrived. The situation is critical in the Canary Islands and Clavijo is trying to lead a state response and, to do so, is seeking an agreement between the PSOE and the PP that offers a structural solution, such as the reform of the Immigration Law for the distribution of migrant minors among the autonomous communities.
What do you think of Sánchez’s trip to Africa?
I always say that diplomatic action is positive, but it must always be accompanied by realities and facts, such as a concrete cooperation and development programme, guaranteed investments, business exchanges or agreements. Travel alone will not make this problem go away. We are seeing the reality: yesterday 1,000 new migrants arrived.
What does the president of a territory like the Canary Islands, overwhelmed by illegal immigration, think about going to Africa to offer work? Do you think it creates a “pull effect”?
There will be no “pull effect” because the “pull effect” is already there. They are already coming because the reality is that they have no life there, no future and no hope. Therefore, I insist, if there are cooperation and development programs that favor the economic growth of the issuing countries, it will be positive because young people will see a future. But let us remember that Sánchez already announced, in February, with Von der Leyen, an investment of 500 million euros in Mauritania (200 from the European Union and 300 million from Spain), and we are as we are, breaking records of arrivals in 2024. Therefore, that money allocated has to have an impact and generate a new reality if we want it to work. I do not know to what extent this is more of a protocol visit than the search for a result. We will see in the coming months.
So, so far, Sánchez’s immigration policy is not working?
No. The data is there for all to see. We are breaking record after record. We closed 2023 with 39,940 arrivals of irregular immigrants and we will end 2024 with close to 50,000.
The PP accuses Sánchez of not having a migration plan. You have spoken to him recently. Does he have a plan?
I am not going to go into that. I say that this is not a political problem or a territorial problem. This is a humanitarian problem and I think that there has to be an agreement. It is essential that they sit down and reach an agreement because it has to be a State policy. The modification of the Immigration Law has to be an agreement where we all come together because if the reform is made, but the Autonomous Communities do not accept it, it will not work. This is one of the most important challenges that Spain and Europe will face in the coming years and it requires agreements.
You are focusing on development policies in countries of origin, but do you see any other instruments as necessary? There are parties that advocate strengthening border controls.
Like all major problems, there is no single solution. There must be many solutions and they must be a combination of them. I suppose that deploying Frontex on the African coast would help, but the African countries do not want it. Of course, cooperation and development would help, giving resources to Maritime Rescue or to the State Security Forces and Corps. There is not going to be a magic solution that will come from one day to the next: we Canarians had to emigrate in the 40s and 50s because there was only hunger here and only when the Canaries began to develop, the migratory flow was reduced. The same is happening with Africa. If it is not addressed and no action is taken, the problem will become chronic, which is what is happening.
Months after Sánchez’s 500 million, why do you think it hasn’t worked?
I don’t know, but perhaps the money was announced and never arrived. We can’t know. I don’t know if it was part of an election announcement for the European elections.
Italy and Greece have managed to reduce the arrival of illegal migrants. What is the difference with Spain?
We, who have been with the High Commissioner and with the European institutions, are told that Italy is paying Albania so that when boats are detected in the Mediterranean, they are taken to Albania and not to Italy. Where do we take them? I don’t know if it reduces the arrival of irregular migrants because they can then also reach Europe through Albania. According to international maritime law, boats have to arrive at the nearest port and the nearest port is in the Canary Islands. This is where the minors arrive and they have left the Canary Islands alone, with almost 6,000 unaccompanied minors.
There are parties that associate increased immigration with increased crime. What is your assessment of this association at a time when the Canary Islands are facing maximum immigration pressure?
That is playing politics with this. We cannot relate immigration and crime. There are 15,000 unaccompanied minors in Spain for a country of 48 million people: blaming minors for insecurity is petty. All of this is generating fear and promoting a xenophobic discourse. That is a fascist discourse. I would like them to be standing on the dock watching how children come down, with fear on their faces, people numb, and to think that there are children who have seen their parents thrown overboard because they died on the crossing.
You govern with the PP, are they completely aligned?
The position of the Government of the Canary Islands is the position shared by 100% of the forces that comprise it. In addition, the position of the Canary Islands on migration is a position of all the forces, except that of Vox. Therefore, the Canary Islands speak with one voice, except for Vox. The Canary Islands are pursuing a policy that is far removed from tension and confrontation. The greatest responsibility lies with the Government of Spain because it is the one that governs; the greatest responsibility for generosity and seeking agreements lies with the Government of Spain and we are facilitating and encouraging a sit-in between the parties.
What do you think is the difference between the two major parties? Is it politics or content?
The difference is political, there is very little that separates us. But if immigration is used as a political weapon, it is obviously always easier not to reach agreements than to reach agreements. I am in favour of sitting down and not getting up until there is an agreement.
You are leading the attempt to bring both parties together. What is the little difference between them?
It is necessary to define what constitutes 100% of the places available to care for minors in the Autonomous Communities and for the State to provide funding to the Autonomous Communities that exceed the limit of places. In extraordinary circumstances, when the care of the minor, schooling or compliance with the international rights of children cannot be guaranteed, the State must intervene as a higher agent.
This summer has been a record-breaking one, and we still have to go into autumn, which is usually the worst time of year because it is when most arrivals are recorded. Do you feel supported by the Government in facing the autumn?
Clearly not. We are currently alone and completely overwhelmed in this matter, and I have conveyed this to President Sánchez. Not only does he have to compensate for the more than 150 million euros spent this year to care for unaccompanied minors, which has caused a budgetary breach, but a broad agreement is also needed.
For this agreement, the PP is necessary. Do you maintain regular contact with Alberto Núñez Feijóo?
I have a very cordial relationship with Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Throughout this crisis, I have spoken with him on many occasions. Also with Miguel Tellado, with whom I have no difficulties. We have to put documents on the table and negotiate until we reach an agreement.