Spain’s top judicial authority has issued a direct warning as the crisis in Ceuta intensifies. Speaking in the presence of King Felipe VI, Isabel Perelló, president of the Supreme Court and the General Council of the Judiciary, called for immediate action to protect Spain’s borders and uphold the law in Ceuta.
Perelló described the situation as a "grave crisis," citing loss of life and threats to public order. She said any government response must pair firm border control with the legal protections guaranteed by Spanish law. The judiciary, she said, is prepared to defend the rights of those affected, but expects the state to act quickly to restore order. RTVE and Demócrata reported that she highlighted the hardship facing Ceuta’s residents and called for solutions that protect both border security and legal rights.
After the mass influx into Ceuta on July 30 and 31, 2026, the CGPJ appointed additional magistrates to reinforce the city’s overwhelmed courts. In response to the July 2026 crisis, the CGPJ formally appointed Miguel Ángel Torres Segura to support Ceuta’s civil and investigative courts, and Consuelo Andreo Ruiz to the gender violence division, El Constitucional reported. The appointments aimed to address the unprecedented caseload and institutional strain following the mass entry.
Perelló also addressed recent political criticism of judges, warning that such attacks threaten the foundations of Spain’s democracy. She pointed to a pattern of public accusations that judicial decisions are politically motivated, calling the claims extremely serious and damaging to public trust. RTVE reported that she demanded respect for the judiciary and warned of the consequences of such allegations.
“It is unacceptable for public criticism of judges to become a tool for pressuring the courts,” Perelló said. She emphasized that judicial independence is not a privilege, but a constitutional obligation. She reminded the audience that the judiciary checks other branches of government. Respecting each institution’s role, she said, is impressive for democracy.
Perelló acknowledged that judicial decisions can and should be debated, but said criticism must focus on legal arguments, not assign political motives to judges. She argued that the judiciary’s legitimacy comes from the Constitution, which states that justice comes from the people. Independence, she said, is one of democracy’s basic protections.
Her remarks came before senior political figures, including Justice Minister Félix Bolaños and Senate president Pedro Rollán. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo was also present. Their presence highlighted the seriousness of her message and the tensions between institutions.
Other judicial leaders have also called for a return to security in Ceuta, underscoring the urgency of the crisis. The situation echoes other recent moments when Spain’s institutional independence has come under question, as seen in previous investigation coverage.
Perelló ended by reaffirming her commitment to impartiality and consensus within the judiciary. She insisted that decisions must serve justice and the public, not political interests. Her stance signals a judiciary determined to resist political interference as Spain faces pressure at its borders and within its institutions.
Her intervention comes as Spain’s separation of powers faces scrutiny. The Ceuta crisis has exposed weaknesses at the border and in the country’s institutional checks and balances. The judiciary’s insistence on independence is a warning: the rule of law cannot survive if political actors treat the courts as opponents instead of constitutional partners. Perelló called for respect for the law and the Constitution.
