Pedro Sánchez Responds to Migration Crisis in Ceuta
In a recent interview, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated that there was "no information" that could have anticipated the significant migration crisis experienced in Ceuta last month. However, he acknowledged that the National Intelligence Center (CNI) had sent prior reports before the surge occurred. This interview marks Sánchez's first public address following the influx of approximately 72,000 migrants from Morocco, of whom he claims that "nine out of ten have already returned" to their home country.
Sánchez's narrative aligns closely with that of Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who continues to refute the existence of any prior intelligence report regarding the crisis. The Prime Minister explained that there were several meetings between Ceuta authorities and the central government, represented by the government delegate in the autonomous city. During these discussions, it was noted that while there was an increase in irregular maritime entries, it was not significant. He emphasized that this level of migrant flow was typical for this time of year and attributed the disparity to the "misinterpretation of a ruling from the Supreme Court," which he claims was exacerbated by misinformation and criminal organizations. Following the meetings, the CNI "shared situational reports but did not provide any information that indicated the magnitude of the crisis we were about to face," stated the Prime Minister. Despite this, he underscored that the government had increased the capacity of the Temporary Stay Center for Immigrants (CETI) in Ceuta.
Cooperation with Morocco and Addressing Opposition
Addressing the ongoing situation in Ceuta, where thousands of migrants are reportedly living on the streets—about 5,000 according to the government and nearly 10,000 according to the autonomous city—Sánchez assured that "we will soon have the capacity" to accommodate those allowed by law. He touched upon the distribution of minors and the reception of asylum seekers, particularly highlighting clashes with the opposition parties, the Popular Party and Vox, which demand the return of all migrants. He remarked, "I do not seek principles from this opposition, but I do expect respect for the current legality." Acknowledging the concerns raised by journalists, he noted that it was some ministers, including Marlaska, who initially stated that all individuals crossing the border would be returned.
Moreover, Sánchez commended the "instant cooperation" from Morocco amidst the crisis. When questioned about Morocco's potential role in the massive influx of migrants, he firmly stated, "The Government of Spain must act based on certain data." He expressed that he does not perceive any information that would raise doubts about the involvement of Moroccan authorities in the situation. By addressing opposition concerns regarding Spain's relations with Morocco, Sánchez declared, "In the realm of migration, cooperation with Morocco is undeniably positive." On the other hand, he criticized the "ultra-right international movement," describing it as a "hybrid attack" against Spain. He cited social media activity from Russia and Israel as amplifying the misinformation that led to the migratory surge. He correlates this situation to the Spanish government's stance on critical issues such as the genocide occurring in Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As reported by elplural.com.
