Spain has criticised what it described as the “selfish, polarising and unlawful” response of several European Union countries following the recent migrant surge into its North African enclave of Ceuta.
The criticism comes after around 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 July, overwhelming local authorities and triggering political tensions across Europe.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Saturday that the death toll linked to the crossings had risen to 67.
Authorities added that almost everyone who entered Ceuta has now returned to Morocco as Spain regained control of the border.
In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended his government’s handling of the crisis.
He said Spain restored border security within 48 hours and prevented any unauthorised movement of migrants into mainland Europe.
While thanking countries that had expressed solidarity, Sánchez accused others of exploiting the crisis for political gain.
“The European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction,” he wrote.
The diplomatic dispute intensified after Italy temporarily suspended the Schengen border-free agreement with Spain.
Response From Other Leaders
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the scenes in Ceuta as “shocking” and argued that uncontrolled migration posed a threat to national security.
Finland and Denmark backed Italy’s decision, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called for Spain’s temporary suspension from the Schengen system.
Spain rejected the criticism, noting that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen Area. Madrid also summoned the Italian ambassador, while Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said European partners should show solidarity instead of engaging in “partisan demagoguery.”
Several European countries have nevertheless tightened their own border controls.
France announced increased police deployments along its border with Spain, while Portugal said it was considering additional checks. Finland also began preparations to restore internal border controls if necessary.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the images from Ceuta as “unacceptable.”
“We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules,” she said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed Spain’s efforts to stop irregular migration but urged Morocco to immediately readmit migrants who crossed illegally.
In the United States, the State Department blamed Spain’s migration policies for the crisis, while President Donald Trump described the situation as “a catastrophe” and likened it to “an invasion.”
Border Security Reinforcement
Spain has reinforced security in both Ceuta and the nearby enclave of Melilla by deploying additional police officers, soldiers, drones, patrol boats and divers. Prime Minister Sánchez, who visited Ceuta after the mass crossing, blamed human trafficking networks for encouraging migrants to enter the territory.
He argued that traffickers had exploited a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling involving migrant returns to spread false information. The ruling, delivered in June, stated that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be immediately returned to Morocco without due legal process.
According to EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner, no migrants from the latest wave have entered mainland Europe.
Ceuta and Melilla remain the European Union’s only land borders with Africa and have long been major entry points for migrants seeking to reach Europe.
The latest surge echoes a similar crisis in 2021, when around 8,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta within days, straining relations between Spain and Morocco.
Spain has generally maintained a more welcoming migration policy than several other European countries.
Earlier this year, the government approved plans to grant legal status to around 500,000 undocumented migrants, allowing them to formally join the workforce.
However, the recent crisis has renewed debate over migration policy across Europe, even as the European Parliament approved tougher migration rules in June.
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