Latvia Tightens Border Security Amid Migrant Crisis

Latvia Tightens Border Security Amid Migrant Crisis

The Escalating Border Crisis

In a recent turn of events, the Latvian government has decided to close one of its two border crossings with Belarus. This action comes as a response to the substantial increase in illegal border crossings by migrants coming from the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. The move is an integral part of the country’s strategy to cope with what it describes as the “most tense situation in recent years”.

Belarus: A “Hybrid Threat”

Belarus, under the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko, has been accused by the Latvian government of using migrants as a “hybrid threat”. Since the summer of 2021, Belarus has accepted and encouraged thousands of migrants to move towards the territory of Poland and the Baltic countries. This move is believed to be an attempt by Belarus to destabilize the European Union (EU), a political adversary of Lukashenko’s regime.

Increasing Border Security Measures

As a result of these tensions, countries bordering Belarus have been forced to increase their security measures. Poland and Lithuania have erected walls on their borders with Belarus, with Latvia progressively closing its crossings as well. The 50 agents that were previously stationed at the now-closed Silene crossing have been reassigned to strengthen the security at the Paternieki crossing, which remains open. These measures highlight the escalating tensions between the EU and Belarus, and the latter’s alleged use of migrants as political leverage.

Migration Statistics Spark Concern

The Latvian government has reported that its agents have prevented 894 migrants from crossing the border in the last six days alone. In the month of September, this figure rose to 1,773. This surge in migration attempts has raised significant concerns among the Latvian authorities and has led to the deployment of additional resources to manage the situation.

Unraveling the Larger Picture

The situation at the Latvia-Belarus border is a part of a larger picture involving geopolitical tensions between the EU and Belarus. With Belarus allegedly using migrants as a tool to destabilize the EU, the border crisis has escalated to levels unseen in recent years. The closure of the border crossings and the construction of border walls are symptomatic of these tensions and indicative of an ongoing migration crisis in the region.

Final Thoughts

The closure of one of Latvia’s border crossings with Belarus represents a significant development in the ongoing migration crisis. As the EU and Belarus grapple with their geopolitical tensions, the migrants caught in between face an increasingly uncertain future. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will be closely watching the measures taken by both parties to manage the crisis.