The political standoff over Spain’s handling of the Ceuta migration crisis has deepened. Alberto Núñez Feijóo announced that the Partido Popular (PP) will formally ask Centro Nacional de Inteligencia (CNI) director Esperanza Casteleiro to testify in the Senate. The move comes amid growing disputes within the government over what information was available before the mass entry of migrants from Morocco and who was responsible for the delayed response.
Speaking at the PP’s annual political gathering in Pontevedra, Feijóo sharply criticized the government’s handling of the situation in Ceuta. He cited conflicting statements from the Ministry of Defence and other officials about whether intelligence services had properly warned the authorities. The contradictions suggest that “someone is not telling the truth,” Feijóo said, adding that the public deserves full transparency about the events leading up to the border incident.
The PP plans to demand a public explanation from the CNI’s leadership and join the ongoing legal proceedings in the Audiencia Nacional. Feijóo argued that the scale of the crisis poses a major challenge to Spanish sovereignty and demands a response. He accused the government of abandoning Ceuta during a critical period, pointing to impressive delays in basic decisions, including declaring a national interest situation and requesting Frontex support.
Feijóo also defended the police and military deployed in Ceuta, saying they fulfilled their duties despite lacking adequate resources and legal backing. He was especially critical of the conditions faced by the Spanish Army, calling the withdrawal of troops due to insufficient means unacceptable. The PP leader said Ceuta and Melilla must not be treated as “second-class territories” and reaffirmed that they are integral parts of Spain.
Feijóo announced plans to visit Ceuta on September 2 on behalf of the PP and urged the public to demonstrate in support of the city’s residents. He pledged that the party would not abandon Ceuta, stressing the need for solidarity and accountability.
The escalation comes as Spain faces broader political uncertainty, with municipal and regional elections approaching and a general election also possible. Feijóo cast the Ceuta crisis as a symptom of deeper government dysfunction, citing parliamentary gridlock and the absence of new budgets, while also alleging widespread corruption. He criticized the government’s coalition partners for keeping the current administration in power.
Recent tensions between Spain and other EU countries over border controls have further complicated matters. Italy’s criticism of Spain’s border management and reciprocal checks has drawn attention to the wider European context, as detailed in a recent report on the Schengen dispute. These developments show the challenges facing Spain’s border policy and the political stakes involved.
Ceuta’s position as a Spanish enclave bordering Morocco has long made it a focal point for migration and diplomatic tensions. The latest crisis has renewed debate over national security and whether the government responded adequately. It has also prompted calls for clear protocols to manage sudden influxes at the border. As legal proceedings advance and political pressure mounts, the outcome may set precedents for how Spain handles similar incidents in the future.
