Surge of Migrants in Ceuta Sparks Military Response
Madrid has sent military personnel to Ceuta after thousands of Moroccan migrants managed to either breach the border fence or swim ashore, intensifying an ongoing crisis in this Spanish enclave.
In the last ten days alone, over 2,000 migrants have crossed into Ceuta, according to reports.
However, Thursday saw a dramatic increase in arrivals, with videos capturing large groups of people emerging from the sea, climbing onto Ceuta’s rocky beaches, and scurrying through the streets to evade authorities.
Ceuta’s President Juan Jesús Vivas has formally asked Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to declare a national emergency in light of the situation.
While Madrid declined to issue such a declaration, citing that Spanish laws typically reserve it for natural disasters rather than migration crises, the central government agreed to send armed forces and additional security to bolster the border.
The Ministry of the Interior clarified that, according to civil protection regulations, migration flows don’t classify as a risk to the National Civil Protection System. Thus, they cannot activate the requested emergency mechanism.
In a related note, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly mentioned that President Trump has consistently warned European nations about the repercussions of maintaining open borders.
Kelly stated that Spain and other countries embracing such policies should reassess their approaches or face dire consequences.
Online videos show predominantly military-aged men streaming into Ceuta, significantly challenging local authorities’ efforts to regain control. Others depict migrants scaling the cliffs after swimming across from Morocco.
Despite the escalating issue, Spain’s Prime Minister did not address the situation until Thursday, emphasizing a commitment to an “immediate response” in a post.
Sánchez reassured that the Spanish government is dedicated to deploying necessary resources and coordinating with Moroccan and international authorities to address the situation promptly.
Criticism has emerged from Spanish conservatives regarding Sánchez’s immigration policies. Opponents argue that the provision of social services to unaccompanied minors who enter illegally may inadvertently encourage further migration.
Javier Negre, a conservative journalist, expressed concern that once these minors cross the border, they cannot be returned to Morocco, leading to increased costs for the state as they must be supported until they reach adulthood.
He warned about the potential for Europe and Spain to become “failed” entities if current policies continue to promote illegal immigration.
