Smuggling, Power, Profit: The Business of Migrants in Libya

The migration route from eastern Libya to Crete has become significant, with nearly 20,000 migrants attempting the journey this year. Smuggling networks have adapted to increased controls on other routes, using smaller boats and shifting departures to Crete. The smuggling trade is intertwined with Libya's conflict economy, where armed groups gain political influence through control of informal markets. While connections between smuggling networks and local power structures, particularly those linked to General Khalifa Haftar, remain unproven, the perception of control can enhance political leverage. The EU collaborates with Libyan authorities to curb migration, despite concerns about their legitimacy and ties to armed groups. The precarious situation for migrants in Libya is highlighted by reports of limited access to healthcare and increased vulnerability to exploitation.