Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Monday that approximately 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in North Africa, weeks after a sudden influx of more than 70,000 people crossed into the territory from Morocco. While a majority of the migrants returned to Morocco shortly after entering, the continued presence of thousands in a community with just 84,000 legal residents has strained local resources and heightened tensions.
Sánchez, speaking on the Cadena Ser radio network, noted that around 1,200 of the migrants are minors. He said the government has reached an agreement with local authorities to construct facilities to accommodate them while their asylum claims are processed. However, the local administration has offered a higher estimate, suggesting that roughly 9,000 migrants remain and has criticized the national government for insufficient action.
The migrant reception center in Ceuta is currently overcrowded, with makeshift shelters set up to house up to 1,500 people, according to the national government. Despite these efforts, many migrants continue to live in tents on the hills and beaches surrounding the enclave. Social media footage has captured migrants engaging in wrestling matches to occupy their time. Spanish police in riot gear were seen managing large groups of mostly young men competing for limited shelter space.
The situation has sparked unrest within the local population. Last week, some residents attacked migrant encampments, burning several shelter structures and obstructing Red Cross delivery trucks. Migrants, in response, reportedly threw rocks at a military vehicle, causing soldiers to retreat. Police have used tear gas to disperse volatile crowds amid rising violence.
Local political leaders have expressed frustration with national government plans. Juan Vivas, Ceuta’s mayor-president and a member of the opposition conservative party, opposed the idea of housing migrants in a local sports center, stating the government would need to forcibly remove him first. He called for faster migrant expulsions rather than accommodating them on Spanish soil.
The ongoing crisis has prompted solidarity demonstrations in Ceuta and across mainland Spain, coinciding with the territory's upcoming anniversary celebration marking the appointment of its first European governor in 1415. Over the recent weekend, dozens of boats flew Spanish and Ceuta flags as they sailed toward the enclave, with residents applauding their arrival.
The Spanish government continues to reject allegations that Morocco orchestrated the migration surge. Sánchez reiterated on Monday that no evidence supports Moroccan involvement, attributing the wave largely to misinformation spread by human smugglers and rapid disinformation campaigns on social media. He also accused Russia, Israel, and far-right groups of disseminating false information aimed at undermining Spain’s government, particularly due to Spain’s pro-Ukraine stance, its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and its immigration policies.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denied the accusations, calling them “shameless lies” and accusing Sánchez of deflecting blame from domestic governance failures. Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the allegations as baseless accusations commonly leveled by Western governments. The Spanish government has declined to provide supporting evidence for its claims regarding Israel’s involvement.