Sanchez: Criminal networks used court ruling to trigger migrant influx in Ceuta
Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez says criminal smuggling networks exploited a Supreme Court ruling to facilitate the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta. He called the events an attack on Spain's territorial integrity.
Nearly 49,000 migrants entered Spain's autonomous city of Ceuta, located on the African coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, in a single day. The route through the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla is one of the main migration paths for Africans into Western Europe, with Morocco serving as a transit country for many.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the situation was caused by criminal networks engaged in people smuggling. According to him, these groups interpreted a Supreme Court ruling in their own interest. The court had previously decided that returning people who entered Spanish territory by swimming lacks sufficient legal basis.
Sanchez described Thursday's events as an attack and a violation of Spain's territorial integrity, stressing that Ceuta is a Spanish city and the incident deserves the strongest condemnation.
Spanish authorities are now accelerating case reviews and deportation procedures for those who crossed the border illegally, especially migrants who arrived the day before. Sanchez said many are already leaving the country. He added that Spain is cooperating with Moroccan authorities to carry out deportations as quickly as possible and return those who entered illegally, mainly on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Rome is considering suspending the Schengen agreement with Madrid. Spain reacted sharply and summoned Italy's ambassador to the foreign ministry.
Criticism has also emerged within Spain. Opposition Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called the situation in Ceuta a national security crisis, while far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal directly blamed Sanchez for the migrant influx. Not all migrants, however, can explain why they decided to flee to Spain.
A migrant from Tangier named Reda said the experience was not good and there was nothing fun about it, adding that people die on the way. He urged those still planning to make the journey not to come, so as not to make their parents worry.
Spanish authorities intend to review their approach to fighting illegal migration. Sanchez mentioned strengthening border measures, including possibly installing additional fences, as well as legislative changes. At the same time, leaders of Denmark and Austria are ready to support Meloni in convening a pan-European meeting to restrict Schengen for Spaniards.
