Latest on the entry of immigrants into Ceuta, live | Ayuso accuses Sánchez of “abandoning the borders” and points to Morocco

The migration crisis in Ceuta has ignited a fierce political debate within Spain, with the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, at the forefront of criticism against the central government. Ayuso has vehemently accused the government of Pedro Sánchez of "abandoning the borders," citing the entry of "tens of thousands of people" as evidence. She further alleges that this mass influx was a "perfectly coordinated action, organized by Moroccan secret services," directly implicating a neighboring country in what she frames as an attack on Spanish sovereignty. Her remarks underscore the deep partisan divide on how to manage border security and international relations, particularly concerning migration flows from North Africa.

Isabel Díaz Ayuso

Isabel Díaz Ayuso's strong statements reflect a broader conservative critique of the current government's handling of the Ceuta crisis. By directly blaming Moroccan secret services and accusing Sánchez of negligence, she positions herself and her party as staunch defenders of national borders and security. Her comments also extend to criticizing the government's alleged attacks on judges, civil servants, and police, linking these to the Ceuta situation and portraying a systemic failure of governance. This rhetoric aims to galvanize support for the Popular Party by highlighting perceived weaknesses in the central government's approach to national security and judicial independence.

Popular Party

The Popular Party (PP) has responded to the crisis by tabling a comprehensive plan in Congress, aiming to address the situation through four main pillars: infrastructure, human resources, technology, and legal reforms. Their proposals include reinforcing the border perimeter, specifically extending the Tarajal breakwater, and permanently increasing the presence of the National Police and Civil Guard. The PP also advocates for more civil servants to expedite the processing of expulsion orders and asylum applications, alongside additional healthcare professionals, judges, and prosecutors. Furthermore, the party seeks to modify the Aliens Law and Asylum Law to prevent forced entries from automatically initiating asylum procedures, and calls for the immediate deployment of Frontex. Economically, the PP proposes a €650 million Reactivation Plan for Ceuta and Melilla between 2027 and 2032, including social security bonuses and investment incentives.

Ceuta

The immediate impact of the migration crisis is acutely felt in Ceuta, where local residents are witnessing hundreds of migrants in the streets and protesting the establishment of new reception centers in their neighborhoods. These centers are being set up by the government to provide care, identify migrants, and process asylum, return, or minor care files. The influx has also placed immense pressure on local public services, particularly healthcare. The Nursing Technicians Union (SAE) has reported significant stress among healthcare workers, prompting the government to commit to reinforcing staff with more personnel, a mental health support team, and translators to assist migrants. This highlights the humanitarian and logistical challenges faced by the enclave, which serves as a critical entry point into Europe.