José Manuel García-Margallo's Strong Stance on Ceuta's Crisis
In a recent interview with Más Vale Tarde, former Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo expressed his concerns regarding the escalating crisis in Ceuta, characterizing the situation as nothing short of a "disarray." García-Margallo, who has firsthand experience as a deputy for Melilla, emphasized the implications of the mass migration issue that has unfolded in this autonomous city. He pointed out that it is inconceivable that Moroccan authorities were unaware of the social media calls for mass incursions into Ceuta. His remarks come in the wake of significant numbers of migrants arriving in Ceuta, prompting the establishment of military tents to accommodate approximately 1,500 individuals, as highlighted by presenter Marina Valdés.
García-Margallo articulated his deep understanding of the complexities surrounding Ceuta and Melilla, describing the situation as a personal and familial issue. During the interview, he voiced his concerns about the lack of proactive measures taken to address the ongoing crisis, questioning whether adequate communication existed between Moroccan and Spanish intelligence services regarding the impending influx of migrants. He stated, "It is absolutely unthinkable that there would be social media traffic in Morocco calling for people to approach Ceuta without it being detected by Moroccan intelligence." This raises critical questions about the efficiency of communication between the two nations' intelligence agencies, which historically have collaborated effectively.
The former minister further criticized the Spanish government's handling of the crisis, particularly its response to the judicial ruling regarding migrant returns. He stressed that the government should have anticipated the potential for swimmers to reach Ceuta without facing immediate deportation, stating, "Everything has been a disarray for quite some time across almost all services." García-Margallo concluded that the Spanish military, given the size of Ceuta, should have been prepared to respond swiftly to such scenarios if the government had issued the necessary orders. His comments reflect a broader frustration with the current state of affairs in Ceuta, emphasizing the need for improved readiness and response mechanisms in the face of ongoing challenges.
As reported by lasexta.com.
