Algeria, eldorado of migrant trafficking networks

Algerian social media is awash with videos showing migrants making the risky Mediterranean crossing to escape misery in their homeland, as the oil and gas-rich country becomes the new launchpad for migrants wishing to reach Europe.

As the economic outlook worsens in Algeria, Spanish authorities reported a surge in arrivals from Algeria since 2021.

Observers see the increase as part of weaponizing migration by an Algerian military regime to retaliate against Madrid’s support for Morocco over the Sahara issue.

Others say that the military regime turns a blind eye on the surge in departures from its coastline to free some of the pressure of a disenchanted youth that could direct its anger to the junta via violent protests.

Beside Algerians, Algeria has also become a magnet for other migrants fleeing wars like Syrians.

Europol has arrested this summer in an Algeria-led network that has smuggled some 1000 migrants, mostly Algerians and Syrians, to Spain.