The Canary Islands have introduced a new protocol for handling unaccompanied migrant minors, intensifying tensions with Spain's central government.

The protocol, published in the Canary Islands' Official Bulletin, mandates additional steps for the transfer of minors to the regional government, including identification and registration processes.

This move has sparked a dispute with the central government over immigration policies.

The Canary Islands' government argues that previous protocols were not being followed, leading to disorder and delays in accommodating new arrivals.

In response, the Canary Islands' top prosecutor, María Farnés Martínez, warned that the new protocol could lead to charges of child abandonment if it hinders the immediate care of minors.

The prosecutor's decree outlines steps for ensuring minors are promptly placed in care facilities, highlighting the ongoing struggle between regional and central authorities over the management of migrant minors.