Spanish warship orders commercial vessels to leave Gibraltar waters
Royal Navy sends boats to the Rock following threat to ships anchored off UK territory

A Spanish warship with its guns manned ordered commercial ships to leave Gibraltar’s British waters on Sunday, the territory’s government has revealed.
In an audio recording obtained by the Gibraltar Chronicle, the crew aboard the Spanish ship was heard ordering anchored boats to leave “Spanish territorial waters”. The Guardian says that Royal Navy boats were deployed “in response to the incident”, which comes amid rising tension over the strategic port as Brexit approaches.
The Spanish patrol boat “then sailed slowly through Gibraltar waters... and out into the strait, sailing close to the coastline as it did so”, says the Gibraltar Chronicle.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The boats told to leave were ordered to remain by the Gibraltar Port Authority during the run-in, which was branded “foolish” by a spokesperson for the government of the British overseas territory.
“There is only nuisance value to these foolish games being played by those who don’t accept unimpeachable British sovereignty over the waters around Gibraltar as recognised by the whole world in the United Nations convention on the law of the sea,” the spokesperson said. “It seems there are still some in the Spanish navy who think they can flout international law.”
Gibraltar’s status and the status of its 30,000 residents have been gaining attention “as Britain’s exit from the European Union approaches on March 29, raising questions about free movement across its land and sea borders with Spain”, says Reuters.
Spain has already secured a right of veto over whether future Brexit arrangements can apply to Gibraltar. The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says Spain will seek joint sovereignty after Britain leaves the EU.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
A statement released by the Gibraltar government said: “The Royal Navy deployed a launch and a rigid-hulled inflatable boat to the scene. After being challenged by the Royal Navy, the Spanish warship sailed slowly along the Gibraltar coast with its weapons uncovered and manned.”
The authorities are verifying the incident to ensure that “appropriate action is taken as soon as possible”, the statement added.
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Moldova gives decisive win to pro-EU party
Speed Read The country is now on track to join the European Union within five years
-
Israel and the Gaza flotilla
The Explainer Activists fear loss of life after blaming Israel for drone attacks on ships
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Rise of the far-right: what’s behind the popularity of Vox in Spain?
The Explainer Disillusioned younger voters are being drawn to Santiago Abascal’s party
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024