Spain Declares Ceuta Situation a National Security Priority
Spain has declared the situation in Ceuta a national security interest and created a new coordination body to manage migrant returns.
The Spanish government has formally declared the situation in the North African enclave of Ceuta a matter of national security interest. The announcement came on Tuesday following a special security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at Moncloa Palace, which was immediately followed by a cabinet meeting.
Addressing reporters after the meetings, Minister of Territorial Policy Ángel Víctor Torres revealed the creation of a new certified coordination body. This entity will bring together 11 ministries, the central government's delegation in Ceuta, and the regional government led by its president. Torres has been appointed to coordinate the new body.
Torres noted that while a significant number of migrants have already returned to Morocco, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of those who entered remain in Ceuta. He framed the government's priority as ensuring the safe return of these individuals, while stressing that any action must be taken within the bounds of international law and with full respect for fundamental rights and humanitarian principles.
The minister specifically addressed the sensitive issue of minors, stating that their return must be handled with due process, including considerations for family reunification. He referenced past legal consequences from 2022, when individuals were convicted for mishandling cases involving minors, underscoring the government's commitment to a lawful and rights-based approach in this second phase of the response.