Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, has sharply criticized the central government for what he calls a delayed and insufficient response to the city’s ongoing migration emergency. The arrival of nearly 80,000 people from Morocco since late July has left Ceuta facing a situation Vivas calls unsustainable, with around 10,000 migrants estimated to remain in the city, double the official figure.
Vivas said he had requested the declaration of a State of Alarm before the mass entry, seeking additional protection for Ceuta. The government in Madrid rejected the appeal, citing a lack of legal grounds. Vivas argues that the state’s response 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 city hall and waving Spanish and Ceuta flags. The spontaneous rallies reflect a sense of abandonment by national authorities and a determination to defend the city’s interests. Slogans such as “Ceuta no se vende, Ceuta se defiende” and “Ceuta no se rinde, Ceuta se defiende” have become rallying cries among locals.
Vivas 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 has also called for a clear plan for returns and a impressive increase in resources to manage the situation. Local businesses and the hospitality sector are reporting large losses. Ceuta’s finances are under pressure, and Vivas warns that without urgent support, the city could face bankruptcy.
Prime Minister Sánchez visited Ceuta with Interior Minister Marlaska shortly after the crisis began, but Vivas maintains that these gestures have not led to effective action. The city’s leadership continues to press for concrete measures, arguing that Ceuta’s integrity and residents’ well-being are at stake.
The crisis has also sparked wider debate across Spain about border management and the central government’s responsibilities. As highlighted in recent coverage of local protests and calls for expulsions, tensions remain high, and demands for decisive action are growing.
Ceuta, with a population of just 84,000, has long been a focal point for migration from North Africa because of its unique geographic position. Its limited infrastructure and resources make the city 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.
