Far-Right Vox Party Calls for Permanent Guard Post on Disputed Gibraltar Islet

In a written question to the government, the Vox party senator from Ceuta, Yolanda Merelo, proposed the deployment of a Civil Guard team on the Persil islet or that regular maneuvers be carried out in the Strait of Gibraltar, an area that has become favorable to illegal immigration and drug trafficking. For the senator of the far-right formation, these measures will "strengthen control and surveillance in the area", reports El Faro de Ceuta.

Vox had already presented to Congress a bill aimed at strengthening the material and human resources of the security forces in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal immigration in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Spain and Morocco narrowly avoided war because of this rocky islet of just a few hectares. On July 17, 2002, Spain deployed an exceptional contingent on site to dislodge without violence six Moroccan soldiers who had been camping there for a week, and to plant the Spanish flag.