[4] During the Reconquista and mainly following the conquest of Granada in 1492, forces of the Castilian and Portuguese kingdoms conquered and maintained numerous posts in North Africa for trade and as a defence against Barbary piracy.

In 1481, the papal bull Aeterni regis had granted all land south of the Canary Islands to Portugal.

In the late 19th century, after the so-called Scramble for Africa, European nations had taken over colonial control of most of the African continent.

On 11 July 2002, Morocco stationed six gendarmes on Perejil Island, which was at the time a source of complaint by Spain.

On 3 January 2020, 42 migrants went to the Chafarinas Islands; the Civil Guard ordered their immediate expulsion without following the legal procedure.