Tens of thousands of people have protested across Spain against the government's management of a recent migrant surge in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast. Opposition parties contend that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has neglected the residents of the territory.
In late July, at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta. While most have since departed, an estimated 5,000, including 1,200 children, remain in makeshift camps throughout the city. Law enforcement officials have described daily outbreaks of violence, with some warning that the "worst of the worst" are still present.
Protests were organized by city councils in areas where opposition parties, such as the conservative Partido Popular (PP) and the far-right Vox party, hold significant influence. Demonstrators in Madrid called for Sanchez's resignation, with PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo stating, "A Spanish city has been invaded, occupied and, unfortunately, this happened with the knowledge of the government of Spain."
A rally in Ceuta saw crowds chanting, "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended." In Barcelona, a protest was met by a counter-gathering with anti-racist and anti-fascist slogans, prompting police intervention.
Prime Minister Sanchez has attributed the surge to a misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling and disinformation spread on social media, aiming to encourage border crossings. He has also accused social media accounts linked to Russia, Israel, and right-wing groups of amplifying the crisis, allegations that Russia and Israel have denied. Sanchez maintains that there is no evidence the Moroccan government was behind the mass crossing, though he acknowledged that for a 10-hour period on July 30, Moroccan Gendarmerie police "allowed the border to be crossed."
Conflicting information has emerged from government officials regarding the event. The defense ministry previously stated that Spain's intelligence agency had provided advance warning of the border rush, a claim contradicted by the interior ministry and other departments. Sanchez has committed to releasing key reports about the border breach but has not specified when they will be made public or their contents.
The official death toll related to the event has been raised to 141 people, a significant increase from the previously estimated 96 deaths in both Spain and Morocco. The method of this tally remains unclear.
Sanchez has faced scrutiny from residents of Ceuta, who are angered by the influx of migrants overwhelming the city's limited resources. He also condemned comments made by two Moroccan ministers questioning the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's other North African territory. Spain summoned Morocco's ambassador to Madrid in response to these remarks.
Ceuta and Melilla represent the European Union's only land borders with Africa. Approximately 5,000 migrants, including 1,200 minors, remain in Ceuta weeks after the initial surge, though the city's local government reports a higher figure of around 9,000 people.