While passing through the archipelago, the Spanish Navy ship did not detect any illegal activities in Cape Verdean waters

The Spanish Navy ship Furor has been docked at the Port of Praia since May 18 as part of the European Union's Coordinated Maritime Presences off the coast of West Africa and in the Gulf of Guinea. According to the ship's captain, Ángel García Estrada, no illegal activities have been detected during its stay in Cape Verdean waters, but he pointed out that rough sea conditions have reduced the presence of vessels.

This has been a four-month mission focused on strengthening maritime security in the region, which is now coming to an end, given that Cape Verde is the last stop before returning to Spain.

According to the ship's commander, Lieutenant Commander Ángel García Estrada, the current mission has already passed through eight countries, namely Mauritania, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, before ending its operation in Cape Verde, from where it returns to Spain.

During his stay in Cape Verdean waters, the commander stressed that no suspicious activities were detected. "We didn't detect any illegal activity. We only observed large ships transporting goods and oil," he said.

According to the same source, the main objective of the operation is to support coastal countries in the fight against drug trafficking, irregular immigration and illegal fishing, through surveillance and information sharing with countries in the region.

"If any illegal activity takes place, we can detect it and report it to the coastal countries. We can't act in non-Spanish waters. We can provide evidence of this illegal activity to Nigeria, Cameroon or Cape Verde, for example, and the countries can act accordingly," the commander explained.

The official also highlighted the strategic importance of Cape Verde, underlining the good relations with Spain, but stressed the need to deepen the sharing of information on the activities that take place at sea.

On the other hand, the commander explained that "collaboration with Cape Verde is very important for Spain, especially in the area of fishing and illegal immigration".

"All immigration from Senegal or Gambia is on its way to the Canary Islands. We are able to monitor what happens, to reduce the illegal immigration that goes down the west coast of Africa to the Canaries."

In cases where they detect a boat with migrants, the Spanish military notify the country responsible for the maritime rescue zone, but when "there is a real imminent danger, they have to intervene and take in the people at sea". "There is always an obligation to safeguard life first," confirmed Ángel García Estrada.

As part of the mission, on Friday 22nd Furor carried out operational demonstrations with Spanish-made drones, capable of increasing maritime surveillance capacity. "By launching the drone we have more than 20 km of visibility," explained the captain and added that this equipment makes it easier to detect illegal activities at sea.

The Spanish military demonstrated this drone to the Cape Verdean security forces, namely the Judicial Police (PJ), as well as to the Coast Guard.

Third visit to Cape Verde

During a guided tour for journalists, the commander explained that the Furor has around 80 crew members, including health professionals such as doctors, nurses and psychologists.

Between 20% and 22% of the crew are women, which is above the average for the Spanish Navy, which is around 15%.

The ship also has an infirmary with a capacity for four beds and medical systems that allow direct connection to a military hospital in Spain, guaranteeing real-time assistance in emergency situations.

In operational terms, the captain highlighted the ship's automation, which allows it to be operated by just three people on the bridge during the day, when under normal conditions seven would be needed.

In terms of armament, the Furor is equipped with three cannons, including a longer-range one located in the bow, capable of reaching up to 10 kilometers, and two side systems in the stern for self-defense.

Built in 2019 by the Spanish company Navantia, the ship has already docked in Cape Verde three times, having been in the archipelago in 2022, 2024 and now in 2026.