Social media videos revealed hundreds of migrants either breaching border gates or swimming from Morocco towards the Spanish enclave on Thursday. According to police reports to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, at least 19 individuals died attempting to reach Spain.
The border with Spain’s other North African enclave, Melilla, was also shut down as between 300 and 400 individuals entered from Morocco on Thursday, as reported by Spanish media.
For Sánchez’s left-wing government, which has committed to legalizing numerous undocumented migrants, this situation could become a diplomatic issue. Italy’s right-wing leader Giorgia Meloni has called for a suspension of the Schengen agreement or Spain’s removal from the free-travel zone. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced on X that France would establish border controls with Spain starting Friday.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated he would summon the Italian ambassador on Friday amid rising tensions.
Spain’s center-right opposition People’s Party prompted the government to restore “effective control of the border” and ensure the return “of those who have entered illegally,” in a statement posted on X.
Manfred Weber, head of the center-right European People’s Party group in the European Parliament, urged Sánchez to “act swiftly and firmly to protect our common external borders” via social media.
Far-right European politicians warned against Ceuta becoming another 2015 migration scenario. Germany’s far-right leader Alice Weidel stated, “Borders must now be closed and rejections strictly enforced. 2015 must not repeat itself!” while French counterpart Marine Le Pen added: “France must promptly strengthen border controls.”
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