On August 31, 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the King will visit Ceuta "when the conditions are right," although he did not specify a date. He emphasized that there are valid reasons for this visit while defending Morocco's actions during the ongoing migration crisis, stating that without Moroccan cooperation, the situation would worsen significantly.
In an interview with Cadena Ser, Sánchez asserted, "This crisis can only be resolved through cooperation, not by fostering distrust in Morocco, which would exacerbate the situation." This marks his first media appearance since a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta occurred. He declined to reveal whether King Felipe VI has expressed interest in visiting Ceuta and Melilla, but clarified that travel arrangements would be coordinated by the government with Zarzuela. He noted that in the past two decades, no head of state has visited these autonomous cities.
Sánchez also highlighted his own visits to Ceuta, claiming he has visited both cities more frequently as Prime Minister than any predecessors who have sought to reclaim the disputed Perejil islet, indirectly referencing former Prime Minister José María Aznar, whom he accused of merely stirring up controversy.
Reasons Behind the Migrant Influx
When asked about the causes of the recent surge in migration, Sánchez stated that investigations are ongoing but attributed it to the misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling from July 8, combined with the spread of disinformation from Russia and Israel, as well as an
