King Felipe VI is set to make his first official visit to the autonomous city of Ceuta in over a decade, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed. The announcement comes as Madrid and Rabat intensify cooperation following a recent surge of migrants crossing into Spanish territory from Morocco.
Speaking on Cadena SER, Sánchez said Moroccan authorities responded with “instant and immediate cooperation” after tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta by swimming. He said both governments maintained constant communication on July 30 and 31, and Morocco launched operational measures on the second day to address the situation. The prime minister argued that the current context provides “sufficient reasons” for the head of state to visit Ceuta and Melilla, adding that the trip will take place once conditions are deemed appropriate.
Sánchez acknowledged the exceptional scale of the migrant influx and highlighted ongoing coordination with Rabat on returning migrants in line with Spanish law. He warned that without this bilateral understanding, the crisis could have escalated further. The prime minister also pointed to the growing prevalence of “dangerous political rhetoric” that frames state strength and human dignity as incompatible. He insisted that a strong rule of law can coexist with respect for migrants’ rights.
On the role of Spanish intelligence, Sánchez said no collaborating intelligence agency had raised doubts about Moroccan involvement in the events. He clarified that the CNI (National Intelligence Centre) and the National Police shared situational reports throughout the crisis. Asked about the origins of the mass entry, which involved over 70,000 people in two days, Sánchez attributed it to the distortion of a Supreme Court ruling that criminal organizations spread on social media. He linked the disinformation campaign to international networks associated with Russia and Israel, as well as far-right groups, claiming these actors exploited migration to destabilize Spain and Europe. Sánchez said false messages circulated online claiming migrants who entered Ceuta by swimming could not be returned at the border. He categorically denied that claim.
The events in Ceuta have drawn impressive attention in Spain, with public debate focusing on border management and the government’s response. As previously reported, local residents in Ceuta have staged protests demanding stricter enforcement and expulsions following the mass entry. The government’s handling of the crisis and its diplomatic engagement with Morocco remain under scrutiny.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two enclaves on the North African coast, have long been focal points for migration from Africa to Europe. Both cities are heavily fortified and represent the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. The last royal visit to Ceuta and Melilla took place in 2007, when King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía traveled to the enclaves, sparking diplomatic tensions with Morocco. King Felipe VI’s upcoming visit is seen as a impressive gesture that reflects the importance of the territories and the developing relationship between Spain and Morocco. The government continues to monitor the situation closely, weighing border security against its legal duties, including humanitarian obligations.
