Latvian Interior Minister criticizes Spain's migration policy

Latvian Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava has criticized Spain's migration policies in a letter addressed to Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlasco. The contents of the letter, originally intended as inter-official communication, were made public by the Latvian Ministry of the Interior.

Dombrava argued that Spain's decisions have weakened external border protections and created risks for the entire Schengen Area. He specifically cited the legalization of over half a million undocumented individuals as a factor that has attracted human trafficking networks. He also criticized the interpretation of a July 8 ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court.

Regarding the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, Dombrava questioned whether Spain should receive financial, personnel, or relocation support through the solidarity mechanism. He stated that it would be difficult for Latvia and other border nations to support such measures when Spain's own political and legal decisions have contributed to the crisis. He emphasized that solidarity should be a counterpart to national responsibility, rather than an “insurance policy against the consequences of one's own political decisions.”

Additionally, the minister called for an evaluation of whether Moroccan authorities may have facilitated or permitted the coordinated mobilization of migrants toward Ceuta.