King Felipe of Spain reaffirmed Spain’s sovereignty over the North African enclave of Ceuta during a visit to the territory on Tuesday, delivering a firm message amid ongoing tensions following a recent migrant crisis. Accompanied by Queen Letizia, the monarch pledged steadfast support to the local population after thousands of migrants crossed into the city from neighboring Morocco in July.
“Ceuta and Melilla are an inalienable part of the political and national reality that is Spain,” King Felipe declared. “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country are not negotiable: they are indisputable.” The royal couple’s visit marked the first time in nearly two decades that a reigning Spanish monarch traveled to Ceuta, highlighting the city’s sensitive political and diplomatic status. They arrived by plane from Malaga and were greeted by crowds waving flags and wearing shirts with slogans such as “Ceuta is not for sale. Ceuta must be defended.”
The visit came in the wake of a violent and chaotic incident in which an estimated 80,000 migrants entered the small territory—home to roughly 84,000 residents—over the span of two days. Aid groups and migrant organizations estimate that around 140 people drowned attempting to reach Spanish soil. The crisis, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 migrants, sparked widespread criticism of the Spanish government’s handling of the situation and placed a strain on Spain’s relations with Morocco, which does not formally recognize Spanish sovereignty over the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
In a solemn acknowledgement of the lost lives, King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited a Muslim cemetery where many migrants who perished are buried. The graves, often marked only by numbers, underscore the difficulty families face in confirming the whereabouts and identities of loved ones. Morocco has not officially recognized these burials on Spanish soil.
Ceuta’s top local official, Mayor Juan Jesús Vivas, expressed concern about the ongoing presence of migrants within the city, estimating their numbers to be between 5,000 and 18,000. He described the situation as a “pressure cooker that could explode at any time” and urged the government to accelerate the expulsion of those who remain following the mass crossing.
During their stay, the royal couple planned to spend the night at the Parador hotel, marking the first time since 1927 that a Spanish head of state has stayed overnight in Ceuta. Their itinerary includes a visit to Melilla, the other Spanish enclave on the Moroccan coast, scheduled for Wednesday.
The visit underscores Spain’s determination to maintain control over Ceuta and Melilla, territories it has governed for centuries despite Morocco’s longstanding claims. The reaffirmation of sovereignty by King Felipe and Queen Letizia serves both as a message to the residents of these enclaves and a statement of national policy amid complex regional dynamics.