Concerns Over Immigration Crisis in Ceuta: Government Inaction Amidst Military Cooperation

Government Inaction Amid Rising Immigration Crisis

The Immigration and Security Committee, overseen by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has not convened for seven months, a troubling fact given the recent surge of illegal immigration in Ceuta on July 30 and 31. This incident followed intense military collaboration between Morocco and the United States, culminating in a summit in Rabat attended by military leaders from 60 countries, including Spain. The illegal entry of 70,000 migrants into Spanish territory within just 48 hours has sparked outrage among the Spanish populace and King Felipe VI, yet the government's response has been notably tepid, as evidenced by the continued inactivity of the Specialized Immigration Committee within the Department of National Security (DSN).

Aina Calvo, the Secretary of State for Security and second-in-command to Minister Grande-Marlaska, presides over this committee, which is mandated by law to meet at least every two months. The last official meeting occurred on February 18 of this year, with the previous one in January 2025, raising concerns about the committee's preparedness to address the crisis that has erupted in Ceuta. The lack of timely assessments and directives from this twenty-member committee, which includes representatives from sixteen ministries and the National Intelligence Center, is alarming, particularly when the situation demands immediate attention.

Furthermore, the absence of any references to the events in Ceuta among the 163 current affairs items reported by the DSN in July is striking. The DSN's news section has remained silent since July 30, the day when an estimate of 49,000 immigrants flooding into the autonomous city was made by the Ministry of the Interior. The official responsible for this content was subsequently dismissed from her role by the department's director, General Loreto Gutiérrez, following orders from superiors.

Geopolitical Implications of the Recent Crisis

The government's muted response to the immigration crisis has extended to the Ministry of Inclusion and Migration, as well as the Secretary of State for Migration, who have seemingly ignored the situation. Their public statements have primarily echoed comments made by Prime Minister Sánchez in Ceuta, with little acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. Elma Saiz, the minister, announced funding for unaccompanied minors to be relocated to the mainland, while Secretary of State Pilar Cancela offered emotional remarks, failing to address the scale of the crisis.

In addition to the inaction of the Specialized Immigration Committee, the strong geopolitical and military ties between Morocco and the United States have been highlighted in the days leading up to this incursion. A significant display of this partnership occurred during the African Maritime Forces Summit held in Rabat from July 20 to 24, organized by the U.S. Naval Forces and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. This event saw military representatives from 40 African nations and another 20 allied countries, including Spain, reinforcing the critical role Morocco plays in maritime security in North Africa.

Ironically, the day the military summit concluded was when the security of Ceuta began to be threatened, as groups of migrants started arriving by swimming. It raises questions about how intelligence from the summit attendees, many of whom were military officials, failed to foresee the impending crisis. The close military relations between the U.S. and Morocco suggest that American forces stationed in Morocco should have been aware of the situation brewing in Ceuta. A week prior to the summit, a memorandum was signed to establish the African Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center in Tan-Tan, Morocco, set to open in 2030. This center will focus on various military capabilities, including attack, intelligence, and surveillance synchronization.

The strong bilateral relationship between Morocco and the U.S. was further underscored during a meeting in Rabat between Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin, the Royal Navy Inspector, and General Danil Shipley, the commander of the Marines for Europe and Africa. This meeting centered on shared maritime security priorities, with particular note that the Canary Islands fall within the operational area of the United States Africa Command.

As reported by vozpopuli.com.