Spain has strongly criticized the response of some European Union countries to the arrival of about 60,000 migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on July 30.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed that nearly all migrants who crossed into Ceuta have returned and that Spain has restored border control, preventing unauthorized movement towards continental Europe.
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However, he condemned what he described as “selfish, polarizing and unlawful” reactions from some EU members.
Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that at least 67 people died during the crossing, with causes including drowning and being crushed.
By Saturday, the situation in Ceuta was nearly normalized, with businesses reopening and most migrants having left the enclave.
Urgent EU Meeting Requested
Prime Minister Sánchez urged an urgent video conference of EU interior ministers to address the crisis, emphasizing that border security is a shared responsibility among member states.
He wrote in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that some governments had attacked Spain driven by prejudice or political interests, despite Ceuta not being part of the Schengen area.
Italy, Finland, and Denmark supported Italy’s decision to temporarily suspend the Schengen agreement with Spain following the migrant influx.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the situation as a threat to national security.
Spain summoned the Italian ambassador in response, while Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares expected European solidarity instead of partisan criticism.
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