Justice

How a Traffic Jam Became an International Incident

Gibraltar accuses Spain of inflicting "torture" through unnecessary delays at its border.
Reuters

Talk about an international crisis -- Gilbraltar authorities accused Spain of inflicting "torture" on travelers trying to cross the border this weekend. Officials complained about six-hour waits, massive traffic jams, lengthy searches and "unnecessary delays" at the Andalusian border.

Thousands of cars leaving the tiny territory for Spain were held up. British officials voiced concerns that Spanish officials were deliberately causing the long delays. Gibraltar's chief minister told BBC that Spain was "bullying" the British territory in response to the construction of an artificial reef to "prevent Spanish fishermen fishing in a manner that is contrary to our law."