Tenerife’s president, Rosa Dávila, has issued a sharp rebuke to Spain’s central government over its handling of the growing migrant crisis, calling for an immediate halt to the transformation of the Canary Islands into a “refugee camp.”

As the constant arrival of migrant boats from Africa continues, the region is struggling to cope, particularly with unaccompanied minors.

The Canary Islands have become a critical entry point for migrants seeking refuge, which is having an impact on local resources.

In a bold statement, Dávila, the President of the Tenerife Council, said: “Tenerife says no. This is not the way. We have already said enough is enough.”

Her comments come after the Spanish Ministry of Defence offered two disused military facilities in San Cristóbal de La Laguna to house unaccompanied migrant minors.

One of the facilities, in a state of severe disrepair, has been deemed unsuitable for immediate use, further fuelling discontent.

Dávila criticised the central government’s approach, arguing that converting old, unfit structures into makeshift migrant centres is not a long-term solution.

“It’s not about creating storage places for people,” she said, adding the fact that La Laguna already hosts two large immigrant detention centres.

The Canary Islands are under immense pressure, with over 5,300 unaccompanied minors currently in care across 80 centers.

NGOs and migrant services are believed to be overwhelmed, and the regional government claims it is running out of resources to manage the situation effectively.

The crisis has escalated further with over 600 migrants arriving on the islands in just the first weeks of September.

Many of these are vulnerable minors, forcing the Canary Islands’ government to step in and provide care.

However, the strain on local services has reached a tipping point, leading to an urgent plea for help from the central government.

Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Canary Islands, echoed Dávila’s concerns and demanded action.

Clavijo called on the Spanish government to immediately allocate the 150million euros (£126m) requested to help pay NGOs and cover the immense costs of caring for these minors.

“The Canary Islands cannot bear all the migratory pressure from Africa alone because it is not possible,” Clavijo said, arguing that it is a national responsibility to address this humanitarian crisis.

Clavijo has also called for a revision of Spain’s immigration laws, advocating for a system that ensures unaccompanied minors are relocated to other regions in Spain within the first 15 days of their arrival.

“The solution is not to open more centres,” he said, but to fairly distribute the responsibility across the country.

His comments come as Spain’s opposition leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, is set to visit the Canary Islands to assess the situation firsthand.

The ongoing migrant crisis has laid bare the challenges facing the Canary Islands, which, despite being part of Spain and the European Union, feel abandoned in handling the overwhelming influx.

Dávila’s and Clavijo’s calls for a comprehensive national strategy underscore the need for immediate reforms to alleviate the pressure on the islands.

The Canary Islands, they say, cannot continue to serve as Europe’s gatekeeper in this humanitarian emergency without further support.

Rosa Dávila added that the Canary Islands’ situation reflects a broader European issue, as the region serves as one of the main entry points for migrants heading to Europe.

“They have understood nothing of the humanitarian drama that the Canary Islands are experiencing. We are also Spain, and we are Europe,” she said.