Spain's leader starts West Africa tour with agreements to combat people smuggling

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain's prime minister announced a series of agreements with the West African nation of Mauritania on Tuesday to stem a surge in migrants making the dangerous Atlantic journey to the Canary Islands.

Speaking alongside Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani in Nouakchott, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain will expand its circular migration program to Mauritanians and renew cooperation between the two nations' security forces to combat people smuggling and trafficking networks.

“Despite the rhetoric that is growing in Europe, migration is not a problem,” Sánchez said, openly recognizing the need for migrant workers in Spain's aging society. “It is a need that involves certain problems, and for this we must push formulas that allow us to manage the phenomenon of migration in a humane, safe and orderly way, to benefit our respective societies.”

Sánchez is on a three-day tour of West Africa to reinforce bilateral relations with Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal, where the majority of migrant boats reaching the Canary Islands are being launched from.

The Spanish archipelago — located close to the African coast and used as a stepping stone for migrants and refugees trying to reach continental Europe — has seen more than 22,000 people land on its shores since January, more than double the number of irregular arrivals for the same period last year, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.

“Until not long ago Spain was also a country of migrants ... they aspired to better lives, much like those who take great risks and take on this dangerous adventure,” Sánchez said.

Among those making it to the Canaries are thousands of Malian refugees fleeing violence and instability in the Sahelian nation as well as youth from Senegal, Mauritania and other West African countries who are seeking better job opportunities abroad.

There are also increasingly more teenagers and children traveling alone to the Canary Islands, which has overwhelmed the local government responsible for their care. Spanish authorities say they are bracing for even more arrivals this fall when sailing conditions in the deadly Atlantic Ocean between West Africa and the archipelago are more favorable.

It’s the second time that the Spanish leader has visited Mauritania this year. In February, Sánchez traveled to the largely deserted and impoverished nation alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and announced 210 million euros (around $235 million) to help the country curb migration. Seen as a beacon of stability in the volatile Sahel region, Mauritania hosts about 200,000 Malian refugees on its border.

Ghazouani, who was reelected in June, thanked Sánchez for Spain's “constant availability to develop our country” and seek regular migration pathways for its citizens.

The leaders said their governments will hold a high level meeting in Mauritania in early 2025. In addition to the migration and security agreements, Spain launched on Tuesday a Spanish-Mauritanian business council to boost investments and announced it would open a branch of the Cervantes Institute in Mauritania to promote Spanish language and culture.

“Africa will continue being a priority for Spain's foreign policy,” Sánchez said.

Follow AP’s coverage of global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.

Migrants disembark at the port of "La Estaca" in Valverde at the Canary island of El Hierro, Spain, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, after they arrived by boat from a thirteen-day voyage from the coast of Senegal. (AP Photo/Maria Ximena)

Migrants disembark at the port of "La Estaca" in Valverde at the Canary island of El Hierro, Spain, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, after a thirteen-day voyage by boat from the coast of Senegal. (AP Photo/Maria Ximena)

Migrants disembark at the port of "La Estaca" in Valverde at the Canary island of El Hierro, Spain, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, after a thirteen-day voyage by boat from the coast of Senegal. (AP Photo/Maria Ximena)

Migrants disembark at the port of "La Estaca" in Valverde at the Canary island of El Hierro, Spain, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Migrants arrived by boat after a thirteen-day voyage from the coast of Senegal. (AP Photo/Maria Ximena)

Migrants disembark at the port of on "La Estaca" in Valverde at the Canary island of El Hierro, Spain, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Migrants arrived by boat after a thirteen-day voyage from the coast of Senegal. (AP Photo/Maria Ximena)

Migrants disembark at the port of on "La Estaca" in Valverde at the Canary island of El Hierro, Spain, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Migrants arrived by boat after a thirteen-day voyage from the coast of Senegal. (AP Photo/Maria Ximena)

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit pitchers Beau Brieske and Brant Hurter combined for a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles, retiring 21 consecutive batters before Adley Rutschman's eight-pitch walk leading off the eighth on Friday night.

Detroit led 1-0.

Brieske, a 26-year-old right-hander, was planned to start as an opener and retired four batters while throwing 11 of 16 pitches for strikes.

Hunter, a 26-year-old rookie left-hander, struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings while throwing 53 of 71 pitches for strikes. He started 17 of 18 batters with strikes, including his first 14.

Brenan Hanifee relieved after Rutschman's walk.

The closest Baltimore came to a hit was Ryan O'Hearn's fifth-inning soft line drive down the left-field line that landed inches foul.

There have been 24 perfect games, all complete games.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Brant Hurter throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Beau Brieske throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)