Canary Islands condemn Balearic “irresponsibility and lack of solidarity” after urging suspension of child placements
Octavio Caraballo, Vice‑President of the Canary Islands, urges a “principle of solidarity that must always be applied in any humanitarian drama.”
The government of the Canary Islands expressed deep disappointment on Friday over the Balearic government’s decision to ask the Supreme Court to suspend the reception of unaccompanied migrant minors arriving from the islands. The move, according to Caraballo, is “an exercise of irresponsibility and lack of solidarity” by a region that receives 5,000 fewer children than the Canary Islands.
“It is not true that the Balearic Islands are currently the main entry point to Europe for migratory flows from Africa,” Caraballo told the press.
Data comparison
- Balearic Islands (2025): 5,000 migrants received; 680 minors.
- Canary Islands (2025): Over 12,000 migrants received; more than 5,500 minors.
“If we have been able to establish a reception system for 6,000 minors, the Balearic Islands should have no problem accepting a quota of 49,” he added, noting the president of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, had expressed concern over the issue.
Principle of Solidarity
Caraballo emphasized that Spain is bound by a principle of solidarity that cannot be applied “selectively” but is an institutional obligation in the face of humanitarian crises.
- Refusing to receive 49 minors is “an exercise of irresponsibility” and a further sign of “lack of solidarity” with the Canary Islands.
“We call on the president of the Balearic Islands to join the initiative we have been promoting for two years, with the support of other affected territories such as Ceuta. We asked her at the time through a letter that she did not even answer, and we will keep pressing because migration is an issue that affects us all.”
Caraballo concluded by urging a unified, solidarity‑based response to migration across Spain’s autonomous communities.