The Spanish government has moved to centralize management of the ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta, nearly a month after around 80,000 migrants swam across the border at the end of July, overwhelming the city. The Council of Ministers, meeting for the first time after the summer break, approved a single command structure led by Ángel Víctor Torres, Minister of Territorial Policy. The new body will coordinate efforts involving the central government and Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas, with the city’s government delegate and representatives from the National Intelligence Centre also involved.
The decision follows weeks of mounting pressure from local authorities, who repeatedly called for Madrid to assume direct control as the situation outstripped the city’s capacity. Earlier that day, the National Security Council met, as required by law before declaring the Ceuta crisis a matter of “national security interest.” The single command could be formally established only after that declaration.
Government spokesperson and Minister of Migration Elma Saiz and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska joined Torres to present the new measures after the cabinet meeting. The opposition has criticized the government for acting only after nearly a month of uncertainty and disruption in Ceuta. Local businesses have suffered impressive losses since the influx, while the city’s administration has struggled to maintain order and provide basic services.
Alongside the new command structure, the government is preparing an economic recovery plan to revive Ceuta’s battered economy. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the plan could mobilize up to 180 million euros in aid, though Tuesday’s meeting did not give it final approval. The details are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
This shift in strategy follows earlier reports of growing political tension and criticism over the government’s handling of the crisis. As previously covered in RUSSPAIN’s analysis of the government’s developing response, the creation of a single command marks a impressive change in Madrid’s approach. It reflects the scale of the emergency and the need for coordinated action.
Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, has long faced migration challenges because of its proximity to Morocco. The recent surge in arrivals has placed unprecedented strain on local infrastructure and social services. The government’s intervention is intended to restore stability and support local businesses, while also coordinating responses to future incidents. In the coming weeks, authorities will work to implement the new measures and finalize the economic support package.
