Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Wednesday that “violence cannot be a solution” to the ongoing crisis in Ceuta, following several incidents in the Spanish enclave after a massive influx of migrants from Morocco last month. Speaking before parliament, he called for calm and an end to all acts of violence as tensions continue to rise in the small North African territory, which has been under strain since the arrival of thousands of migrants.
The enclave, which covers just 18.5 square kilometers, has seen growing unrest in recent days, including protests, clashes with police, and incidents involving migrants sleeping on the beach. The situation remains fragile as Spanish authorities struggle to manage the humanitarian and security fallout of the crisis.
Mass Migration Deepens the Crisis
Thousands Still in Ceuta
Tensions have remained high since more than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta on July 30 and 31. While most returned after only a few hours, thousands are still in the enclave. The Spanish government estimates the number at around 5,000, while local authorities say there are at least 10,000 migrants in the city, which has a population of roughly 80,000.
Those still in Ceuta face serious difficulties in accessing food, water, shelter, and medical care. Many are sleeping in hastily created centers or on the beach, while others roam the streets in increasingly difficult conditions.
Pressure on Local Services
The crisis has placed heavy pressure on Ceuta’s limited local services and infrastructure. With the enclave’s small size and limited capacity, officials warn that the humanitarian situation could worsen further unless a coordinated solution is found quickly between Spanish and Moroccan authorities.
Protests Turn Violent
Clashes on the Beach and in the Streets
The city has seen growing protests organized by local residents who say security conditions have deteriorated and are demanding the migrants’ departure. In recent days, these demonstrations have turned violent. Police dispersed protesters who were heading toward the beach where migrants were sleeping, and some demonstrators set fire to migrants’ personal belongings.
Dozens of people also protested against Red Cross vehicles distributing food to migrants, chanting anti-migrant slogans before authorities intervened to break up the gathering. The unrest shows that the crisis in Ceuta is no longer only a humanitarian issue, but also a major political and security problem inside Spain.
Soldier Injured, Arrests Made
On Thursday, clashes broke out on the beach where some migrants were camping after their belongings were burned. That same day, a soldier was injured after a military vehicle carrying four soldiers was ambushed by around 70 migrants who threw stones at it. Following the incident, 12 Moroccans were arrested, and two more Moroccan migrants were detained after attacking a Civil Guard officer, according to a source close to the investigation cited by AFP.
Friday night passed without further incidents, bringing a brief pause after days of heightened tension.
Political Dispute Over How to Handle Migrants
Marlaska Criticizes the Right and Far Right
Interior Minister Marlaska accused right-wing and far-right parties of spreading false information and trying to exploit the crisis politically or, worse, inciting hatred and violent clashes between residents in the streets of Ceuta. He urged calm and insisted that violence “cannot solve a problem this complex.”
Calls to Return All Migrants
Meanwhile, Javier Celaya, Ceuta’s representative from the center-right Popular Party, also called for calm but said he understood the “anger” and “frustration” of Ceuta’s residents, describing them as justified in the face of what he called government inaction. Right-wing and far-right parties are demanding that all migrants in Ceuta be sent back, while the government insists each case must be assessed individually to determine whether the person qualifies for asylum or can be deported, a process officials say will take time.
An Ongoing Humanitarian Emergency
Unaccompanied Minors Need Special Protection
A major concern remains the thousands of unaccompanied minors in the enclave, who require special protection. The Spanish government has set aside an additional 25 million euros to house them, as part of efforts to address the humanitarian side of the crisis.
Officials say the return of minors will be carried out in line with human rights standards, while a special task force has been created to speed up decisions on migrant cases. Still, the situation remains highly tense and unresolved.
State of Emergency Persists
Marlaska acknowledged that the massive migrant influx was one of the biggest challenges Spain has faced in its migration policy in recent times, and said the situation is still classified as an emergency. The crisis reflects the difficulty Madrid faces in balancing border control, humanitarian obligations, and domestic political pressure.
Conclusion:
The Ceuta crisis remains open and unresolved, with protests, violence, and humanitarian strain continuing to shape the situation in the Spanish enclave. While the interior minister urges calm and rejects violence as a solution, the city remains under pressure after the arrival of thousands of migrants from Morocco, leaving Spain to navigate a complex mix of security, political, and human rights challenges.
