Spanish PM Sanchez Faces Backlash Over Ceuta Border Crisis

Tens of thousands of Spaniards protested across the country on Wednesday, September 2, demanding the government address the ongoing crisis following a mass border breach from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July. The demonstrations, coinciding with Ceuta Day, saw approximately 20,000 people take to the streets in Ceuta itself, representing a quarter of the city's population, and around 50,000 in Madrid, with further protests in Barcelona and Bilbao. Protesters voiced anger over the government's response, with chants and signs calling for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's resignation and expressing concerns about national integrity.

David Hernandez, a 45-year-old teacher participating in the Ceuta protest, criticized the government's reaction as "insufficient and belated," stating that the government had "effectively shirked its responsibilities." The situation in Ceuta remains unstable, with over 72,000 people having crossed from Morocco in late July, and thousands, including minors, still residing in temporary camps and on streets and beaches. A manifesto read at the Ceuta rally, representing Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish communities, declared, "Ceuta is and always will be Spain."

Juan Jesus Vivas, the president of the autonomous city, described the July border crossing as an "attack on our territorial integrity," suggesting it was deliberate and organized. He emphasized that Ceuta "stands" despite being "in danger, saddened, wounded, and alarmed."

A report by the Spanish National Police, prepared by the National Center for Immigration and Borders (CENIF), concluded that the mass border crossing was "planned and by no means spontaneous." The report indicated the involvement of individuals connected to Moroccan security forces, noting their "complete passivity" in preventing the influx and their "active direction" of people towards the border. The police report also questioned whether migration was the primary goal, as only 5-10% of those who crossed attempted to stay in Ceuta, suggesting the operation's true purpose might have been different. While the report did not directly implicate the Moroccan government, it highlighted the actions of individuals linked to its security structures.

This police report contrasts sharply with statements made by Prime Minister Sanchez on August 31, who largely dismissed the possibility of Moroccan government involvement and instead suggested that disinformation spread on social networks by "criminal organizations," potentially linked to Russia and Israel, fueled the crisis. The European Commission later clarified that while Russian networks did spread disinformation, it occurred after the border breach and did not contribute to its organization, and found no evidence of Israeli involvement. The police report's findings, pointing to Moroccan security forces' actions, directly contradict Sanchez's earlier assertions and place him in an "extremely awkward position."