Ceuta’s President Juan Jesus Vivas has described the recent border crisis as an “invasion” and one of the most difficult moments in the city’s history, revealing that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants, primarily military-aged men, continue to remain in the Spanish enclave after an unprecedented surge from Morocco. During a European Parliament session, Vivas stated that approximately 80,000 migrants stormed Ceuta within a mere 48-hour period in late July, a number equivalent to the city’s entire population, leading to an estimated 100 deaths during the influx. While the majority of those who entered have since returned to Morocco, Vivas emphasized that Ceuta has not returned to normalcy, with reception centers for adults and minors now in a state of collapse, creating a major humanitarian emergency, disrupting public order, and posing significant risks to public safety. The situation has deeply affected the morale of Ceuta’s residents, who feel vulnerable and fear a recurrence, questioning the city’s security and integrity which they believe are dependent on Morocco’s recognition of Spanish sovereignty. To address this crisis, Vivas proposed immediate expulsions of the remaining Moroccan migrants, increased resources for migrant facilities, and a new economic model to reinforce Ceuta’s Spanish and European identity, stressing the indispensable need for support from European authorities to restore normality and ensure the city’s future.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
