Ceuta’s leader accuses Madrid of failing to respond to a mass influx from Morocco. He urges the state to take over care for unaccompanied minors. The city’s finances and social stability are under strain.
Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, has sharply criticized the central government for what he describes as a delayed and insufficient response to the city’s ongoing migration emergency. According to Vivas, the arrival of nearly 80,000 people from Morocco since late July has left Ceuta facing a situation he calls unsustainable, with the number of migrants still present in the city estimated at around 10,000—double the official figure.
Vivas revealed that he had requested the declaration of a State of Alarm before the mass entry, aiming to secure additional protection for Ceuta. However, the government in Madrid rejected the appeal, citing a lack of legal grounds. The president argues that the state’s reaction has not matched the scale of the crisis, which he compares to some of the most serious moments in Spain’s recent history.
Residents have shown visible support for Vivas, gathering nightly in the Plaza de África near the city hall, waving Spanish and Ceuta flags. These spontaneous rallies reflect a sense of abandonment by national authorities, but also a determination to defend the city’s interests. Slogans like “Ceuta no se vende, Ceuta se defiende” and “Ceuta no se rinde, Ceuta se defiende” have become rallying cries among locals.
The president insists that the state must assume direct responsibility for unaccompanied minors, as the number of children in care now far exceeds the city’s capacity. He also calls for a clear plan for returns and a significant increase in resources to manage the situation. The economic and social impact is already severe, with local businesses and the hospitality sector reporting substantial losses. Ceuta’s own finances are under pressure, and Vivas warns that without urgent support, the city could face bankruptcy.
While Prime Minister Sánchez visited Ceuta with Interior Minister Marlaska shortly after the crisis began, Vivas maintains that these gestures have not translated into effective action. The city’s leadership continues to press for concrete measures, arguing that the integrity of Ceuta and its residents’ well-being are at stake.
This crisis has also sparked wider debate across Spain about border management and the responsibilities of the central government. As highlighted in recent coverage of local protests and calls for expulsions, tensions remain high, and the demand for decisive action is growing.
Ceuta, with a population of just 84,000, has long been a focal point for migration from North Africa due to its unique geographic position. The city’s limited infrastructure and resources make it particularly vulnerable to sudden demographic shifts. Spanish law requires the care of unaccompanied minors, but the scale of the current influx has overwhelmed existing facilities. The situation in Ceuta is now seen as a test of Spain’s broader migration policy and the ability of national institutions to respond to extraordinary pressures at the border.
