The Spanish government has come under scrutiny once again, this time for donating two civil guard patrol boats valued at €4.8 million to Senegal, amid ongoing corruption scandals. Critics highlight that 40% of Spain's drug enforcement vessels are currently out of service. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's cabinet justifies the decision as part of a broader strategy to enhance policies for managing African migration flows.

The Ministry of the Interior, under Fernando Grande Marlaska, has announced the transfer of two patrol boats from the Civil Guard to Senegal. The combined value of these vessels is €4,865,000. This handover occurred in December 2025 as part of a bilateral cooperation agreement focused on immigration.

The boats, named Altura Río Cabriel and Altura Río Guadiaro, were acquired by the state in 2004 and 2001, respectively. The first was purchased for €2.8 million, while the second cost €2 million. Both units have been used for maritime patrols in strategically important waters.

According to the government, this operation is part of a policy aimed at „strengthening the control of African immigration flows,” a region that Spanish authorities prioritize. The Sánchez government considers operational cooperation with Senegal as part of a strategy for joint border management and preventing departures toward the Canary Islands.

A mixed Spanish contingent, comprising members of the Guardia Civil and the National Police, remains stationed in Senegal, conducting maritime and land patrols in collaboration with local authorities. This system is supported by additional resources, including vehicles, aircraft, and operational support boats.

Sánchez «regala» a Senegal dos patrulleras de la Guardia Civil de 4,8 millones mientras mantiene inoperativas el 40% de las lanchas de vigilancia contra el narcohttps://t.co/636WNoWLuW

— LA GACETA (@gaceta_es) May 3, 2026

Szenegálban továbbra is egy vegyes spanyol kontingens állomásozik, amely a Guardia Civil és a Nemzeti Rendőrség tagjaiból áll, és a helyi hatóságokkal együtt tengeri és szárazföldi őrjáratokat végez. Ezt a rendszert kiegészítik további anyagi eszközök, köztük járművek, légi járművek és operatív támogató hajók.

These activities are part of a foreign policy approach aimed at the so-called operational outsourcing of borders, in cooperation with European partners and transit countries for illegal immigration.

While the government makes this donation, La Gaceta reports that four out of ten surveillance boats used in the fight against drug trafficking are non-operational. The poor condition of these assets has serious implications for the safety of those performing their duties. In the Gulf of Barbate in 2024, two Civil Guard officers lost their lives after being struck by a drug smuggling vessel while on duty in a light boat, as the designated patrol boats for the area were unavailable.

Fernando Grande Marlaska belügyminisztériuma bejelentette, hogy a Civil Gárda két parti járőrhajóját Szenegálnak adta át. A hajók együttes értéke 4 865 000 euró. Az átadásra 2025 decemberében került sor a bevándorlás terén folytatott kétoldalú együttműködés keretében.