The image of the tragedy, in the macro morgue of Ceuta: 100 bodies in search of names and the SOS of desperate families

Spain's Sánchez Demands EU Unity Amid Ceuta Migration Crisis Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has written a letter to European Union leaders expressing his “serious concern” over the recent attacks from other European governments following the mass migration crisis in Ceuta. The letter was addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council President António Costa, and Ireland’s Prime Minister Michael Martin, who holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council. In the letter, Sánchez defended Spain’s actions during the crisis, stating that “almost no undocumented immigrants remain to be returned,” and accused some European leaders of acting “selfishly and illegally.” He called for an urgent meeting of EU interior ministers to address similar situations and reaffirm shared responsibility for border security. The letter detailed how around 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta irregularly within days, with Spanish authorities restoring full control of the border within 48 hours. Humanitarian aid was provided, and nearly all undocumented individuals were returned, preventing unauthorized movement toward mainland Spain. Sánchez emphasized that this success was achieved through close coordination with Moroccan authorities and minimal support from other EU states. He highlighted Spain’s long-standing effective migration policy, which has made it one of the safest external borders in the EU despite its unique position with a land frontier to Africa. This policy also helped other member states during crises, such as the influx of migrants from Belarus in 2021 and Lampedusa in 2023. Despite these efforts, Sánchez noted that some European governments have responded asymmetrically, with some attacking Spain and demanding temporary exclusion from the Schengen area. He criticized this approach as contrary to European law, humanitarian principles, and common sense, arguing that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen space, that almost no undocumented migrants remain, and that Spain is among the least porous external borders in the EU, with fewer irregular entries than Italy in recent years. Sánchez requested that the Irish presidency of the Council convene an emergency videoconference of EU interior ministers to establish a coordinated response to future crises and reaffirm that border security is a collective responsibility. --- Morocco Denies Pressure, Blames Spanish Court Ruling Meanwhile, Morocco denied having been subjected to “pressure or blackmail” in managing the Ceuta crisis, calling instead for accountability for the Spanish Supreme Court’s July ruling that limited hot-border returns. Moroccan officials argued that the decision weakened a key element of bilateral cooperation, undermining deterrence against illegal crossings. They claimed that the ruling led to a shift in behavior, with many migrants interpreting it as an invitation to cross, believing they would face legal proceedings rather than immediate deportation. Moroccan diplomats stated that their country had always acted as a reliable partner, maintaining strict border controls and mobilizing thousands of security forces to manage the influx. They expressed disappointment with some Spanish politicians who they accused of using the crisis for political gain, while praising the coordination with the Spanish government. However, they warned that security alone could not solve the issue, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy involving development and return mechanisms. Morocco also pointed out that it spends over 500 million euros annually on migration management, receiving only 145 million euros in EU funding. It stressed that the problem was not financial but strategic, requiring a shared vision and commitment. --- EU Ministers Agree to Strengthen Borders and Cooperation In response to the crisis, EU interior ministers agreed to strengthen external borders, enhance return procedures, and improve early warning systems. They also expressed firm solidarity with Spain and confirmed that the situation is under control, noting that most irregular migrants have already been returned and there has been no further movement into the EU. The agreement came after a series of meetings and discussions, including an extraordinary session held via videoconference, attended by non-EU countries associated with Schengen, such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, along with agencies like Frontex and Europol. Commissioner Magnus Brunner, representing the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, praised Spain’s handling of the crisis and reiterated that the EU will not accept the use of migration as a tool of pressure against any member state. He acknowledged the role of trafficking networks and the influence of misinformation, particularly regarding the Spanish court ruling, which he described as a “bad signal.” --- Spain’s Foreign Minister Condemns ‘Throwing Young People to Death’ Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles broke the government’s silence on Morocco’s role in the crisis, accusing the country of failing to stop the mass entry of migrants and condemning the deaths of hundreds. She demanded that Morocco investigate who was behind the networks facilitating the influx and hold accountable those responsible for endangering lives. Robles emphasized that all irregular migrants would be returned and warned that traffickers or those who tolerated the crisis would face consequences. She urged Morocco to “get to the bottom of what happened” and stressed that Spain would continue supporting the military presence in Ceuta and Melilla to protect national sovereignty. Robles underscored that the integrity of Spain’s territory must not be compromised and that the armed forces would remain until normalcy is restored. --- Italy Supports Suspension of Schengen Agreement Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani supported Spain’s call to suspend the Schengen agreement, claiming it was the correct decision and backed by 21 European nations. He praised Italy’s migration policies and suggested that the suspension would help prevent future crises. His comments followed Spain’s closure of its borders with Italy, which had been temporarily closed due to the influx of migrants. --- Political Parties Criticize Government Handling of Crisis Political parties in Spain have criticized the government’s handling of the crisis. The Popular Party (PP) accused the government of being too lenient with regularization policies and failing to secure the borders. PP leader Miguel Tellado claimed that intelligence services should have foreseen the scale of the migrant influx and that the government ignored warnings from local authorities. He blamed the crisis on the lack of discipline in immigration policy and criticized the government for not respecting its own rules, making it difficult to earn respect from other countries. Meanwhile, the Socialist Party (PSOE) faced accusations of political manipulation, with some members suggesting that the crisis was orchestrated to create tension and distract from domestic issues. The crisis continues to test Spain’s relationships with both Morocco and the broader EU, highlighting deepening divisions over migration policy and border control.