An attack on the vehicle carrying Ceuta deputy Julia Ferreras has drawn the city's security crisis into a political dispute. Alberto Núñez Feijóo condemned the incident at a press conference in Ceuta, saying violence has no place in a democracy. He also used the occasion to support military personnel who have suffered attacks.
The incident happened at the port after several people gathered over the alleged arrival of members of the collective Negu Gorriak/Derecho a Techo. The protest escalated into an attack on the deputy's vehicle while she was inside, driving through the area. Police detained at least one young Ceuta resident, information from several reports. The vehicle was damaged, and further arrests remain possible.
Reports say some protesters mistakenly believed the people in the vehicle were members of Negu Gorriak/Derecho a Techo. Ferreras was travelling with activist Rafael Borrego and human-rights defender Sofia Canovas, who were also targeted in the attack. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez later expressed solidarity with all three.
Feijóo's position was clear: no cause or protest can justify violence. The Delegación del Gobierno in Ceuta and the government of the autonomous city also condemned the attack, saying violence cannot be a legitimate form of protest. Feijóo framed the incident as part of a wider dispute over public safety in Ceuta, rather than a stand-alone confrontation at the port.
He also expressed support for residents after what he described as a rise in insecurity lasting almost two months. The PP leader said Ceuta was probably going through its most difficult period in living memory. Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun also criticized him, urging Feijóo to condemn the attack without qualifications and reject what he called an ultra-oriented discourse on migration.
Reuters reported that Italy and Spain extended temporary internal Schengen border checks until 8 October, citing continuing risks to internal security. Tensions around Ceuta have begun to shape security policy beyond the autonomous city. Earlier warnings focused on pressure around the city's border and security situation. Reuters has reported that Spanish authorities estimate about 12,000 migrants remain in the territory, including minors. Police operations to move migrants away from beaches have continued. BBC reporting also described residents' concerns about safety as local services and public spaces came under pressure.
The migration crisis has become the backdrop to the political dispute over the port attack. Feijóo's visit to Ceuta and his claim that democracy leaves no room for violence formed part of a wider argument about worsening security. The circumstances of the attack are still under investigation. Official statements have not treated the incident as grounds for collective blame against protesters or migrants.
The episode has prompted calls for a clear political response. Feijóo has used it to argue that Ceuta is facing a wider security crisis. Local and central authorities have focused on condemning the assault and protecting the right to protest without violence.
