RIGA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Latvian government on Tuesday extended its reinforced border security regime in the eastern municipalities of Ludza, Kraslava, Augsdaugava, and Rezekne, as well as in Daugavpils, through Dec. 31 this year.
The Ministry of the Interior emphasized that heightened security risks persist along the country's eastern border, primarily due to irregular migrants' attempts to cross the state border illegally. The greatest migration pressure remains on the Latvia-Belarus border, the ministry said.
There is also a persistent possibility of hybrid threats and provocative actions, as well as smuggling and other forms of cross-border crime, the ministry highlighted. Therefore, continuous operational readiness should be ensured.
Since Aug. 11, 2021, a heightened border guard operational mode has been in place in specific administrative areas of Latvia. This allows the national armed forces and police to back the State Border Guard in monitoring the Latvia-Belarus border for illegal crossings. Finland and Estonia are also providing support to their Latvian counterparts.
A total of 6,718 people have been prevented from illegally crossing the state border so far this year.
In 2025, 12,046 people were prevented from crossing the Belarus-Latvia border illegally, while 50 were admitted on humanitarian grounds. In 2024, 5,388 people were prevented from illegally crossing the Belarus-Latvia border, while 26 people were admitted to the country on humanitarian grounds. ■