Spain has condemned the selfish, polarising, and unlawful reaction of some European Union countries to the influx of about sixty thousand migrants from Morocco to Ceuta, according to Reuters. Officials report that almost all individuals who reached the North African enclave have now returned, while Spain`s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska confirmed during a Saturday press conference that the death toll has risen to at least sixty-seven.
The diplomatic friction unfolded after Italy temporarily suspended the EU`s border-free Schengen arrangement with Spain, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni describing the scenes as shocking and a threat to national security. Finland and Denmark expressed support for Italy`s move, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called for a temporary suspension of Spain`s membership in the Schengen zone. Finland`s Interior Minister Mari Rantanen also announced preparations for restoring internal border checks if necessary.
In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed serious concerns regarding the hostile stance taken by certain European governments. He noted that Madrid successfully restored full control over the border and prevented any unauthorized onward movement into continental Europe within forty-eight hours. While acknowledging support from most member states, Sánchez criticized governments that chose to attack Spain based on prejudice, fake news, or political interests, emphasizing that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area.
The Spanish leader urged an immediate meeting with EU interior ministers to reaffirm that external border security remains a shared responsibility among all member states. Meanwhile, twenty-two out of twenty-seven EU nations issued an open letter calling for emergency talks, citing grave concerns over the developments in Ceuta while welcoming close cooperation between Spain and Morocco to ensure swift repatriations.
Addressing reporters on Saturday, Grande-Marlaska stated that the situation in Ceuta has almost entirely returned to normal, with businesses reopening as migrants have departed. He added that Spain has begun establishing an inflatable maritime barrier to prevent further illegal maritime entries. However, political and diplomatic fallout continues to ripple across European capitals. France intensified checks along its border with Spain and increased police deployment, while Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated he was weighing similar reinforced border controls. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the initial imagery unacceptable, whereas German Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed Spain`s firm stance against illegal entry. In the United States, the State Department described the incident as a direct consequence of migration policies, with leaders commenting extensively on the border pressures.
