The Canary Coalition, a governing party in the Canary Islands, has expressed concern over the Royal Moroccan Navy's naval exercises in Saharan waters. Cristina Valido, the coalition's sole deputy in the Spanish parliament, warned on Wednesday about the potential ecological risks of Morocco's military maneuvers near Fuerteventura, a region known for its cetacean populations. Valido urged the Spanish government, particularly the Foreign Minister, to disclose information about the exercises. José Manuel Albares was asked to provide details on the firing exercises, scheduled to take place from September 1 to the end of the year in a maritime area approximately 140 kilometers off the coast of Fuerteventura. Valido highlighted the exceptional biodiversity of this region, emphasizing its importance as an ocean corridor. The autonomous government of the Canary Islands, in power since June 2023, previously stated on August 6 that the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) exercises were occurring far from the median line separating the Canary Islands and Morocco. Nieves Lady Barreto, Advisor to the Presidency, Public Administration, Justice, and Security, confirmed that the Spanish government had been informed of the maneuvers. The Kingdom of Morocco had officially notified Spain of the planned exercises in waters near Western Sahara. Both Sumar and Vox had previously condemned the Royal Moroccan Navy's naval exercises in the Sahara.
