Portugal ramps up sea border patrols over Ceuta migration crisis
Authorities urge residents to help by reporting suspicious activity (photo: Getty Images)
Maritime Police and the Navy of Portugal have begun strengthening security along the country's maritime border following the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, according to El Mundo.
The increased security measures include regular daily patrols by both sea and land along the Algarve coast in southern Portugal.
"These are coordinated and comprehensive operations, ensuring the deployment of forces at sea and on land, while strengthening surveillance, detection, and interception of vessels that may be linked to illegal migration or other unlawful activities," the Portuguese Navy said.
The Maritime Police and Navy also stressed that maritime security is a shared mission and urged the public to report any suspicious activity.
Notable that on Friday, the Portuguese government said it saw no need to suspend Spain's participation in the Schengen Area because of the migration crisis in Ceuta, despite calls from several European countries to do so. Officials added that Portugal remains in constant contact with the Spanish authorities.
Ceuta migration crisis
As previously reported, Ceuta recently experienced its largest migration crisis in years, with nearly 60,000 people entering the city within a single day. To stabilize the situation, Spanish authorities deployed the military.
In response, several European leaders called for Spain's participation in the Schengen Area to be temporarily suspended.
European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner said there would be no further movement of migrants into other EU countries.
Earlier, media reported that US President Donald Trump reacted to the situation, saying the incident resembled an "invasion."
