The Guardia Civil has deployed an elite unit to Formentera to strengthen its presence on the island amid a growing migratory crisis that continues to escalate, with a particularly significant impact on the smaller of the Pitiusas.
Specifically, around thirty officers from the Reserve and Security Groups (GRS) — the force’s elite units — had been stationed in Ibiza over the summer as part of Operation Zulu Bravo 2025, the annual high-impact reinforcement plan carried out by the Guardia Civil in the Pitiusas.
Throughout the summer, these agents were based in Sant Antoni, from where they were deployed to any location as required by their commanders to maintain public order — the main task of the GRS.
Initially, the plan was for the unit to return to mainland Spain in mid-October, once the tourist season and Operation Zulu Bravo had ended. However, this did not happen. Instead, over the past ten days, all of these officers have been stationed in Formentera. Just this Sunday, a new small boat arrived on the island, and seven migrants were intercepted in Es Caló.
Request to the island administration
Last year, the Spanish Association of Civil Guards (AEGC) appealed to the island administration of the State to request that GRS officers remain in the Pitiusas after the end of the tourist season.
Although the proposal was not approved at the time, it has now materialised, providing vital support to the roughly twenty officers who work year-round at the Guardia Civil post in Formentera. This summer, they have often been overwhelmed by the continuous arrival of small boats, as the Algerian route once again breaks records.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.