Brussels — The waves that lap at the shores of the Canary Islands tell stories too few are willing to hear. Beneath the relentless sun and the calm of tourist-filled beaches, a different reality unfolds—a reality filled with desperation, human lives at risk, and a political storm brewing on the horizon. It’s a reality that Manuel Domínguez, the Vice President of the Canary Islands, can no longer stomach. His words come not just as a politician but as someone watching his homeland grapple with a crisis that feels as vast as the Atlantic Ocean itself.
The Canary Islands Cry for Help—And Spain’s Deafening Silence
Domínguez’s recent statement, where he described Spain’s refusal to accept EU aid for the Canary Islands as “vomitivo”—sickening—wasn’t just a political jab. It was a reflection of frustration, an outpouring of disbelief at how bureaucracy and political gamesmanship could so easily eclipse the lives of those most vulnerable. The European Union, with its vast resources and promises of help, stands ready, offering to deploy Frontex agents, aid in the relocation of unaccompanied minors, and provide financial assistance. Yet, Spain’s central government has chosen not to act.
To Domínguez, this isn’t merely a missed opportunity. It’s a betrayal, not just of political responsibility but of humanity itself.
“We are playing with people’s lives,” he said with a rawness that cut through the usual political discourse. The past weekend’s tragedy in El Hierro, where dozens of migrants lost their lives in treacherous waters, looms large over his words. It’s no longer a question of political maneuvering or regional alliances. It’s about survival.
Why Spain Turned Its Back on European Aid
To understand the full scope of this issue, we must look beyond the headlines. The Spanish government, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has maintained a stance that the situation can be managed internally. Behind closed doors, sources suggest that accepting EU intervention could be seen as a failure of national sovereignty—a loss of control over its borders.
Yet, that rationale falls apart when you stand on the ground in the Canary Islands, as Domínguez has. What you see there is not a test of political power but a human catastrophe. The islands, situated far from mainland Spain but acting as one of the EU’s southernmost gateways, have become the first and often final stop for migrants making the perilous journey from Africa. And they are ill-equipped to handle the sheer numbers arriving on their shores.
The refusal to accept aid, particularly for the relocation of unaccompanied minors, adds another layer to this complex crisis. These are children—some as young as six—arriving without parents, without protection, without hope. The European Union has assured Spain that other member states, including Germany and France, are willing to share the burden. Yet, the Spanish government insists it’s not feasible.
When Political Games Trump Human Lives
There’s something unbearably cold about the idea that human lives are being used as pawns in a larger political game. Domínguez alluded to the possibility that Spain’s inaction is a calculated move to sow division within the Canary Islands’ government, potentially breaking apart the coalition between the Canary Coalition (CC) and the People’s Party (PP).
“It’s vomitivo,” Domínguez said, and it’s hard to disagree. To watch as a government uses a humanitarian crisis as a wedge to disrupt political alliances feels, in every sense, sickening.
But beyond the politics, beyond the negotiations and accusations, there are people—real people—caught in the middle. The migrant who risks everything in a small, overcrowded boat, the child who arrives on a foreign shore without anyone to care for them, the locals who open their doors to help and find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the need. These are the stories that get lost when governments play games with policy.
The European Union’s Offer: Beacon of Hope or a Missed Opportunity?
The European Union, for all its bureaucracy and complexity, has offered what could be a lifeline. Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency, has teams ready to be deployed to the Canary Islands to help manage the flow of migrants. This isn’t about a simple border control operation; it’s about providing a sense of order, safety, and dignity to a process that has spiraled into chaos.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has also confirmed that financial aid packages specifically earmarked for the Canary Islands are available—money that could go toward housing, food, healthcare, and education for migrants, particularly the most vulnerable minors.
The offer from Europe is clear: “We are ready to help.”
Yet, Spain remains unmoved, and so the islands are left to fend for themselves. It’s a decision that Manuel Domínguez struggles to comprehend as a Canarian and as a human being.
Call for Action: Will Spain Listen?
The Canary Islands, so often portrayed as a paradise for travelers, are now becoming a symbol of humanitarian neglect. The question that lingers is whether Spain will change course, accept the help that is on the table, and begin to address this crisis with the urgency and compassion it demands.
Domínguez’s words are more than a call for political change—they are a plea for human decency. “We cannot play with people’s lives for the sake of political division,” he said. The reality is stark: people are dying, children are suffering, and a region is being left to cope with a crisis it cannot manage alone.
As the waves continue to crash against the shores of the Canary Islands, one can’t help but wonder—how much longer will Spain wait to act? How many more lives will be lost before the call for help is answered?
Conclusion: The Human Toll of Political Stalemates
In the end, this isn’t about politics. It’s about people. It’s about children arriving in a strange land, alone and afraid. It’s about families who risk everything for a chance at survival. And it’s about the moral responsibility that governments have to protect human life, no matter the political cost.
The waves may keep rolling in, but if Spain doesn’t act, the tragedy will only deepen. And as Manuel Domínguez has so powerfully stated, we cannot afford to look away.
