Archbishop Jesús Sanz of Oviedo has sharply criticized Spain’s handling of the Ceuta migration crisis, claiming the city is overwhelmed and sovereignty is at risk. Sanz demands stricter integration policies and questions government leadership.
Archbishop Jesús Sanz of Oviedo has stirred debate by claiming that the recent arrival of nearly 70,000 migrants in Ceuta is not only a humanitarian issue but also a direct threat to Spanish sovereignty. In a recent homily, Sanz described the situation as an "avalanche" that has left many residents feeling besieged and anxious, citing disruptions to daily life and reports of serious crimes. Official figures, however, tell a different story: from January to August 2026, there were 4,076 irregular land crossings into Ceuta, according to Spanish media. This is a 102% increase from the previous year, but still far below the 70,000 figure mentioned in some political and media commentary.
Sanz delivered his remarks during the annual Virgen de Covadonga celebration, going beyond calls for compassion. He accused the Spanish government of failing to protect the country’s borders and compared the current situation to a "hybrid war," suggesting that the arrival of thousands of mostly young migrants was orchestrated to exploit Spain’s vulnerabilities. Sanz used strong language, saying Ceuta had been "taken" and its people left "sheltered between fear, decay, intimidation, and the violation of minors." Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, however, rejected the idea that the crisis was organized by Morocco, telling parliament on September 3 that the government has "no convincing evidence" of such orchestration. European and international bodies have echoed this position.
The Spanish government has acknowledged that it cannot currently determine the exact number of people remaining in Ceuta after the mass influx, due to ongoing identification and protection procedures.
Sanz also criticized Prime Minister Sánchez personally, comparing his leadership to "Alicia in Wonderland" and accusing the government of presenting a false sense of stability while ignoring real dangers. He argued that the official narrative does not match what residents are experiencing, pointing to rising insecurity and social tension. According to Reuters and other major outlets, Sánchez has called for efforts to counter misinformation and promised to release official documents about the crisis. The government has also approved emergency measures to support Ceuta’s basic services and economy.
While Sanz acknowledged the Christian duty to welcome the vulnerable, he insisted that Spain cannot accept everyone who arrives. He called for "sensible, not populist or demagogic" policies to ensure real integration and warned against letting people with "perverse intentions" slip through. He also accused countries of origin of using migration as leverage, referencing secretive tactics and alluding to the Pegasus spyware scandal that previously affected Spanish politics.
In Sanz’s view, the crisis is not only about people fleeing hardship, but also about foreign governments taking advantage of Spain’s openness while receiving European funding. He argued that these states do little to address the root causes of migration, leaving Spain to deal with the consequences.
The most controversial episode occurred on July 30–31, 2026, when some reports estimated 70,000 to 80,000 attempted crossings, but these figures are political or journalistic estimates rather than officially confirmed data. The Spanish government has stressed that, as of early September, only 4,076 irregular land entries were officially recorded for the year.
Spanish press
Sanz’s comments have renewed debate over the government’s response. The Spanish administration recently allocated €165 million to Ceuta to support local services and address the strain caused by the migrant influx, as previously reported. Still, Sanz’s intervention shows that, for some influential voices, financial aid alone is not enough to resolve what they see as a crisis of security and national identity.
Sanz is known for leading the ultraconservative wing of the Spanish Church, and his rhetoric often draws sharp lines between national interest and humanitarian duty. His latest remarks come at a time when Ceuta’s social fabric is visibly strained and public confidence in official solutions is fragile. By framing the crisis as a siege and calling for tougher controls, Sanz reflects a broader anxiety about Spain’s ability to manage large-scale migration without undermining its own stability.
Ceuta and other Spanish border cities have long faced periodic surges in migration from North Africa, testing both local infrastructure and national policy. The government’s emergency funding is a short-term measure, but the underlying tensions—between security, integration, and international diplomacy—remain unresolved. Sanz’s intervention, while controversial, highlights the depth of unease among some in Spanish society and the political risks for leaders seen as disconnected from local realities. His words may divide opinion, but they force a closer look at the limits of Spain’s current migration policies and the need for a balance between compassion and control.
