- Between 1,500 and 2,000 migrants entered Ceuta in the last 10 days, according to the government of Ceuta.
- Regional President Jesus Vivas declared an absolute humanitarian and social emergency and called on Madrid to send troops to reassert control of the border.
- Spain’s Interior Ministry rejected calls to declare a national emergency, stating that such a measure does not cover migration crises, but promised additional resources.
- Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta cannot be returned to Morocco.
- The surge in migrant numbers was described as an explosion following the Supreme Court’s ruling, with reports of many people swimming or scaling the border fence.
- Vivas warned that migrant reception centres were overwhelmed, with hundreds of people sleeping on the streets.
Thousands of migrants have entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, with estimates ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 arrivals in just days. Regional President Jesus Vivas declared an "absolute humanitarian and social emergency", urging Madrid to send troops to control the border.2
The surge in migrant numbers has drawn comparisons to previous crises, with Vivas stating that migrant reception centers are overwhelmed, leading to hundreds sleeping on the streets. Pedro Sánchez, Spain's Prime Minister, promised an "immediate response" to the situation, while the Interior Ministry has pledged additional resources but rejected calls for a national emergency declaration.37
The Interior Ministry attributed the influx to people-smuggling networks exploiting a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court, which stated that migrants intercepted at sea cannot be returned to Morocco. A Guardia Civil spokesperson noted, "It has been a slow trickle since the Supreme Court's ruling, but today has been an explosion." The situation remains critical, with Vivas calling for urgent action from the national government.456
The crisis has sparked political debate, with Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative opposition, describing the situation as desperate. The government of Ceuta reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 people crossed into the enclave, highlighting the urgent need for a coordinated response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
“Between 2,000 and 3,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta recently, overwhelming reception centers and leaving hundreds sleeping on the streets. The situation has escalated following a Supreme Court ruling that prevents the return of intercepted migrants, prompting calls for urgent action from Spain's government.”
The Guardian
