In a new escalation of tension between the two countries over the disputed Western Sahara region, Algeria suspended all tourism ties with Spain on Monday.
All tour operators were asked to immediately suspend tourism relations with Spain, according to a document dated June 19 by the Algerian Tourism Ministry. The document said the suspension was part of Algeria’s decision to suspend a friendship treaty with Madrid.
The order to suspend tourism ties with Spain was also confirmed by a source from an Algerian tour operator.
Algeria suspended its 20-year-old friendship and cooperation treaty with Spain in a decision made last week.
All banks were also ordered to freeze bank operations related to trade with Spain by the North African country’s banking association, ABEF.
The escalation came after the Spanish government shifted its position on the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
Western Sahara’s independence was previously supported by Spain. However, the government was persuaded to accept the position that Western Sahara should be an autonomous region with Morocco, after diplomatic tensions with Morocco surged last year.
As a firm supporter of Western Saharan independence, Algeria has described Spain’s U-turn as “a betrayal.”
