Latvian Border Guard chief: Migrant smugglers are getting aggressive

"The situation [at the border] has been quite tense and complicated since April. Violators arrive regularly, and this year we have already stopped 7,634 people, which exceeds last year’s figures by 800 [people]," Pujāts said. There are also days when more than 200 border violators attempt to enter Latvia illegally. This year, it has also been observed that violators have become significantly more aggressive. "We have to use special equipment, weapons, and warning shots to prevent illegal border crossings. Violators have rammed border patrol vehicles, and border guards have also been involved in accidents while pursuing these violators. Overall, the situation is quite tense," acknowledged the head of the State Border Guard, adding that it has not yet reached the point where border violators are also armed. This year, 87 smugglers who illegally organised the transport of people across the border have already been apprehended. By comparison, there were 90 such cases throughout all of last year. Pujāts predicted that the number would double this year. "Latvia is unequivocally the number one target country right now [for the Belarusian regime’s efforts to destabilise the situation in Latvia]," Pujāts acknowledged, comparing the number of detained border violators in Poland and Lithuania. When asked why this is the case, Pujāts suggested that it is because Latvia is one of Ukraine’s most active supporters. "The second factor is that public media in Latvia are prohibited from broadcasting in Russian. Third, Russian narratives are claiming that Latvian territory is being used for attacks carried out by Ukraine against Russian infrastructure. Fourth, the approaching Saeima elections," explained the head of the Border Guard. It has also been observed previously that the use of migration as a weapon intensifies following certain political decisions. Not all border violators can be apprehended, Pujāts acknowledged, noting that the Border Guard lacks the necessary resources and that the construction of border defence infrastructure has not yet been completed. "I would say that about 10% are not stopped near the border, and further pursuit is necessary within Latvia, as well as cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries," said Pujāts. The head of the State Border Guard also called for increased support from the National Armed Forces (NBS) for the border guard. An immediate solution would be mixed patrols comprising a border guard, a National Guard member, or a soldier, and additional units to prevent violations and apprehend smugglers. Similarly, the security of the Latvian-Russian border cannot be neglected, as it faces other challenges, such as drug trafficking or organised crime. But at the moment, all the challenges are concentrated on the Latvian-Belarusian border, Pujāts acknowledged.