Thousands of migrants have crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, prompting local officials to urge Spain to declare a national emergency and send in the army. The interior ministry has rejected the call, stating that legislation on national emergencies does not consider migration flows a risk to national security.
Chaos at the border
Video footage shared on social media showed crowds of mainly young men walking along breakwaters at Tarajal beach and onto local roads. Some families with women and children were also present. A freelance photographer for the Associated Press reported shouts of "Viva Espana!" from the crowd.
Political response
Juan Jesus Vivas, head of Ceuta's regional government, called on the national government to declare a national emergency on grounds of national security. He requested more police and army deployment "to guarantee the inviolability of the frontier and citizen safety." Ceuta's migrant reception centers are overwhelmed, with hundreds sleeping on the streets, Vivas warned on Wednesday.
Government stance
Spain's interior ministry said it would guarantee citizens' safety and border integrity but could not declare a national emergency over migration. The ministry noted that the Moroccan government is "closely cooperating" and stopping "numerous people" from crossing. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska will travel to Ceuta on Friday to evaluate the situation.
Context
The scenes echo a May 2021 crisis when over 8,000 migrants entered Ceuta in two days. Spain remains a key entry point into Europe for migrants seeking economic opportunities or fleeing violence.
