Spanish PM Sanchez slams EU response to Ceuta migrant crisis

Spanish PM Sanchez slams EU response to Ceuta migrant crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned the selfish and unlawful reactions of several European Union member states following a mass surge of migrants into the North African enclave of Ceuta. The diplomatic friction intensified after thousands of undocumented migrants crossed the border from Morocco, resulting in at least 67 deaths.

In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council president Antonio Costa, and Irish leader Micheal Martin, Sanchez argued that the response of some governments is driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest. He stated that such an attitude is contrary to Europe’s long-term interests and to the most basic common sense.

The tensions peaked after Italy temporarily suspended passport-free Schengen travel arrangements with Madrid for one month and reimposed border controls for air and sea travelers from Spain. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni characterized the crisis as a threat to European security. Similarly, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen suggested the EU consider suspending Schengen cooperation with Spain, stating that uncontrolled immigration is a threat to both Europe and Denmark.

Death Toll and Border Surge

Authorities report that between 50,000 and 60,000 people attempted to enter the Spanish territory. Most were Moroccan nationals, though many migrants come from sub-Saharan African countries. The crossings, which began on Thursday, July 31, 2026, involved people jumping fences or swimming through the sea. Many of the 67 fatalities occurred as migrants drowned or were crushed while attempting to scale the breakwater and border fence.

Spanish officials stated that more than 48,000 of the migrants returned to Morocco within 48 hours. This return was attributed to harsh living conditions, including a lack of food and shelter, and the realization that Ceuta is not a direct gateway to mainland Europe.

To secure the border, the Spanish government deployed soldiers, police, and maritime support. Civil Guard police began installing a 500-meter pneumatic floating barrier at the Tarajal breakwater. The barrier is designed to stand 30 to 70 centimeters above water and extend up to one meter below the surface, with a channel for patrol vessels.

Political Conflict and Allegations

The crisis has sparked intense political debate within Spain and abroad. U.S. President Trump described the event as a catastrophe and an invasion, blaming weak and very liberal laws in Spain. Domestically, the far-right VOX party called for border militarization and immediate deportations, while the center-right Partido Popular urged a declaration of national emergency.

Some analysts and politicians suggest the crisis may have been engineered. Riccardo Fabiani of the International Crisis Group called it a manufactured crisis, citing videos of trucks unloading people in front of Moroccan police. Antonio Maíllo of Izquierda Unida suggested Moroccan security lapses might be intentional punishment for Spain's positions regarding Gaza and its refusal to allow U.S. Military use of joint bases for the war in Iran.

Conversely, Morocco's ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, stated the situation unfolded against Morocco's wishes and that the country prioritizes legal migration. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska also defended Morocco as a fully reliable partner, instead blaming people-smuggling networks for spreading misleading information about a July 8 Spanish Supreme Court ruling. That ruling prevents the summary return of migrants intercepted at sea without a physical barrier.

EU Emergency Measures

Despite Sanchez's criticism of individual member states, 22 EU leaders — including Giorgia Meloni, Mette Frederiksen, and Germany's Friedrich Merz — signed a letter requesting an extraordinary meeting of interior ministers. They argued that the bloc cannot allow the instrumentalisation of migration to create a perception that illegal entry is possible. France was not a signatory to this letter.

Ireland, holding the rotating EU presidency, has scheduled an emergency video conference meeting of interior ministers for Tuesday, August 5, 2026, to decide on a coordinated European response.