The Spanish government is under mounting scrutiny as the humanitarian crisis in Ceuta intensifies, with criticism extending to King Felipe VI for not contacting Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. Enrique Santiago, deputy spokesperson for Sumar and a leading figure in Izquierda Unida, publicly questioned why the monarch had yet to make the call and urged immediate action, calling the delay surprising. His comments come amid growing frustration over the government’s response to the influx of migrants and pressure on local resources.
Santiago said the King’s intervention was overdue, especially given the close ties between Spain and Morocco. He argued that Felipe VI should have reached out to his Moroccan counterpart at the outset of the crisis, stressing the need for the head of state to fulfill his constitutional role. Santiago also insisted that any conversation with Mohammed VI should be firm, reflecting what he described as a “hybrid attack” on Spanish territory, with Ceuta and its residents bearing the brunt.
The acute surge in crossings took place on 17 and 18 May 2021, when an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people entered Ceuta from Morocco in less than 48 hours. Many crossed by swimming or over border barriers; more than 1,500 were minors. The surge followed Spain’s decision to provide medical treatment to Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, and was widely interpreted as diplomatic pressure from Rabat. Spanish authorities returned roughly half of those who arrived, with about 5,000 returns reported during the emergency.
Government sources cited by El País indicate that a minister had suggested the King call Mohammed VI to thank him for Morocco’s cooperation in the early stages of the crisis. Moncloa has not confirmed the recommendation. Official statements from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and most ministers have praised Morocco as a reliable partner, citing its role in facilitating returns during the initial surge. Defence Minister Margarita Robles has made no such public endorsement.
Santiago’s criticism extends beyond the phone call. He has called for Felipe VI to visit Ceuta, arguing that the monarch has a duty to show support for the autonomous city during a period of uncertainty. The central government has said there are no obstacles to a visit if it is properly coordinated, and has denied issuing any directive to prevent the King from traveling to Ceuta. Santiago believes state authorities with a role to play should be present in Ceuta to help resolve the crisis and reassure the local population.
Felipe VI later visited Ceuta and publicly defended Spain’s territorial integrity, saying that “Ceuta and Melilla are an inalienable part of the political and national reality that is Spain.” He also said the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity were “not negotiable.” The visit came after the acute crossing episode, and the timing of the King’s engagement had itself become a point of political criticism.
The debate over the King’s role comes as divisions within the government become more visible. Socialist minister Óscar Puente recently criticized Felipe VI for appearing in a photograph with journalist Javier Negre, calling it an “absolute ignominy” and suggesting it damaged the King’s image. This internal friction adds another layer to the political tensions surrounding the Ceuta crisis.
On the ground, the humanitarian situation remains critical. Santiago has advocated transferring the estimated 10,000 migrants still in Ceuta to the Spanish mainland, arguing that the city cannot absorb such numbers. He pointed out that the decline in arrivals to the Canary Islands this year had freed up more than 10,000 places in mainland reception centers, all managed by the state. Santiago dismissed concerns about a “pull effect,” insisting that relocating migrants would not encourage further arrivals.
The return operation also raised legal and human-rights questions. Spanish officials said they used legally established procedures in each case; Amnesty International characterized many removals as summary returns, reporting that around 5,000 people were sent back. The dispute centers on returns processed at exceptional speed and scale, including the protections owed to people seeking asylum and to unaccompanied minors.
The Ceuta crisis has prompted calls for stronger measures, including demands from local PSOE deputies for a state of alarm and an increased Frontex presence, as detailed in a related report on political responses to the border emergency. The debate shows how difficult it is to manage migration flows amid strained local infrastructure and political challenges for the government and the monarchy.
Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, has long been a focal point for migration from Africa to Europe. Its location makes it a frequent entry point for people seeking asylum or better opportunities, while Spain’s border management depends in part on coordination with Moroccan authorities. The 2021 crisis brought that interdependence into sharp focus, linking migration management and humanitarian needs to bilateral tensions over sovereignty. Its consequences included pressure on reception and child-protection services as authorities organized returns and transfers.
