Ceuta continues to grapple with instability weeks after the sudden arrival of 80,000 migrants, amid ongoing protests and security incidents. On Thursday, Minister of Territorial Policy Ángel Víctor Torres, who leads the government’s unified command in the region, pledged to accelerate efforts to restore normality. Addressing the National Security Joint Committee, Torres called for cross-party cooperation and condemned recent violence, stressing that attacks against Muslim residents, migrants, Red Cross volunteers or journalists are unacceptable.
Torres outlined the government’s response since establishing the unified command, but cautioned that immediate mass returns of migrants are not possible. He stressed that the government is determined to ensure the return of those who entered irregularly, but the process takes time and cannot be completed overnight. That position aligns with recent legal developments: Spain’s Supreme Court has ruled that each case involving migrant minors must be reviewed individually, blocking collective deportations. The decision is detailed in a recent analysis of the legal barriers to mass returns.
Political tensions surfaced during the committee session. Cristina Díaz Moreno, senator for the Partido Popular, criticized the government for lacking a concrete plan and accused it of allowing what she described as an “invasion” to escalate into a crisis of public order. She demanded that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez take political responsibility. Sumar’s Txema Guijarro, by contrast, challenged the use of the term “invasion,” arguing that it misrepresents the situation.
Other parties raised practical concerns. Mikel Legarda of the PNV highlighted the urgent need for suitable accommodation for migrants, noting that many proposed facilities lack basic infrastructure and will take months to prepare. Torres ruled out using sports halls as temporary shelters, clarifying that such measures were intended only for extreme, unforeseen circumstances. He added that the relevant decree allows for flexibility.
ERC’s Francec-Marc Álvaro regretted that decisive action had not been taken sooner, while Junts’ Josep Pallès argued that Catalonia is already hosting more migrant minors than its share and should not be expected to compensate for what he called government mismanagement. Torres urged all parties to support the distribution of minors, warning that opposition to it ignores Ceuta’s needs.
The session also saw heated exchanges between Vox’s José María Sánchez and Minister Félix Bolaños. Sánchez responded to Bolaños’ earlier accusations with personal insults. Despite objections from some deputies, the committee chair defended Sánchez’s right to free expression.
Ceuta’s situation remains complex, with authorities balancing humanitarian obligations and legal constraints amid local tensions. The city’s experience reflects wider challenges for Spain’s migration policy, particularly in caring for minors and determining their legal status. The government’s approach is shaped by immediate security concerns and the need to comply with judicial rulings protecting vulnerable groups’ rights. As efforts to restore order continue, authorities across Spain will closely watch how these measures work.
