Spain attacks 'selfish' response of some EU countries to Ceuta migrant crossings

Spain has denounced the "selfish, polarising, and unlawful" reactions of certain EU nations to the arrival of approximately 60,000 migrants from Morocco into Ceuta.

Spanish officials report that nearly all individuals who reached the enclave on July 30 have since returned. Spain's interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, confirmed on Saturday that the death toll from the crossings had risen to 67.

This condemnation follows Italy's temporary suspension of the EU's border-free Schengen arrangement with Spain, a move prompted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who described the scenes as "shocking." Finland and Denmark supported Italy's decision, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš advocated for a temporary suspension of Spain's Schengen membership.

In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed "serious concern" regarding the actions of some European governments. He stated that the Spanish government had fully regained control of the border and prevented any "unauthorised onward movement towards continental Europe" within 48 hours.

While acknowledging the "support and solidarity" shown by most, Sánchez criticized other European governments for attacking Spain, attributing their actions to "prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest." He also highlighted that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area. "The European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction," he asserted.

Chaotic scenes unfolded in Ceuta on Thursday as border controls in the North African enclave reportedly broke down. By Saturday morning, Spanish MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar informed the BBC that the situation was "beginning to get under control" and migrants were "returning peacefully."

Despite the easing situation on the ground, political and diplomatic repercussions are being felt in Madrid and other capitals. On Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on social media that such "uncontrolled immigration" posed a threat to national security, subsequently suspending the Schengen zone agreement with Spain for a month. The Schengen Area is an open-border system encompassing 29 European countries that have eliminated controls at their shared borders.

In response, Spain summoned the Italian ambassador to Madrid, with its foreign minister stating he expected "European solidarity and not partisan demagoguery." Finland's Interior Minister Mari Rantanen announced preparations for reinstating internal border checks "if the need arises" and urged "all European countries" to support Meloni's action. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also called on the EU to "consider all options, including a suspension of Schengen co-operation."

France has tightened checks at its border with Spain and announced an increased police presence by Saturday. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro indicated he was considering reinforcing border checks.

Von der Leyen described the images from Ceuta as "unacceptable," stating on social media, "We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed support for "Spain's intention not to allow illegal migrants onto the European continent" and demanded that Morocco "take back illegal migrants immediately."

In the US, the State Department attributed the incident directly to Spain's migration policies. President Donald Trump labeled the situation a "catastrophe" and described it as "an invasion of a country by hundreds of thousands of people."

Spain has defended its management of the migrant surge. Madrid deployed troops, additional police, drones, divers, and boats to Ceuta. The country also sent its armed forces to bolster security in Melilla, another Spanish enclave, where hundreds of crossings were also reported.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who visited Ceuta after the influx, stated he would consider reinforcing the border with Morocco and confirmed Moroccan authorities were cooperating. He blamed trafficking gangs for the surge, calling the incident a "violation of Spain's territorial integrity." He explained that "trafficking mafias took a self-serving interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling" which "spread like wildfire."

EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner, following a phone call with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, confirmed that "not a single person has crossed to mainland EU." In June, Spain's Supreme Court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be summarily returned to Morocco without due process.

While this year's migrant surge is exceptional, Ceuta has historically been a key point for migrants seeking to enter Europe. During summer months, there is often a significant push to reach Ceuta, frequently organized via social media. In 2021, approximately 8,000 people entered Ceuta over several days, exacerbating Spain's diplomatic tensions with Morocco.

Morocco, grappling with a high unemployment rate, experienced several Gen Z anti-government protests last year, with young people demanding improved opportunities and public services. Along with Melilla, Ceuta constitutes the European Union's only land borders with Africa. Migrants can enter the enclave by swimming several kilometers.

Spain generally adopts a relatively friendly approach to immigration. In April, the government approved plans to grant legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants, facilitating their formal integration into the workforce. At that time, the right-wing Italian prime minister had already criticized Sánchez, arguing the policy would "affect its neighbours." In June, the European Parliament approved stricter migration rules, granting authorities broader powers to return irregular arrivals.