It has been a year and a half since the tragic deaths of two Guardia Civil officers in Barbate. Their patrol boat was attacked by drug traffickers, and the incident continues to trouble both the victims’ families and European politicians. In May 2025, a European Parliament delegation visited Andalusia to investigate the circumstances firsthand and assess how well Spain’s security forces on the front lines of the fight against drug trafficking are protected.
In the preliminary report prepared following this visit, European lawmakers express their disappointment: in their view, the equipment and support provided to Spanish police officers is lacking. The report emphasizes that the situation in the Gibraltar area is becoming increasingly dangerous, with criminal groups acting more boldly and aggressively. The MEPs are calling on Madrid to not only increase funding, but also to implement modern technologies so that officers can carry out their duties without constantly risking their lives.
Particular attention is drawn to the fact that police work in Spain has not yet been recognized as a high-risk profession at the EU level. European politicians are proposing to change this status, as well as to strengthen penalties for attacks on law enforcement officers by classifying such crimes as serious offenses across the European Union. These initiatives have long been discussed in professional circles, but the tragedy in Barbate has brought new urgency to the issue.
During the delegation’s visit, it was revealed that the authorities had attempted to conceal evidence: the boat on which David Pérez and Miguel Ángel González died was removed from the base in Algeciras shortly before the arrival of European officials. This fact sparked further discontent among the victims’ families and their colleagues, who had repeatedly complained about a lack of resources and the absence of real change. In a letter to the European Parliament, the family of one victim directly pointed to the authorities’ inaction and the constant risks faced by staff on duty.
As a result, the European mission insists that Spain must urgently revise its approach to ensuring the safety of its law enforcement officers. Without significant investment in equipment, training, and personnel, the fight against drug trafficking will remain unequal. The next move is up to Madrid, but Europe has already made it clear—it will not tolerate further delays.
