The King receives the president of Ceuta in Marivent to address the consequences of the migratory crisis

Felipe VI received this Thursday afternoon at Marivent Palace the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, to learn first-hand about the situation of the autonomous city a week after the massive entry of more than 70,000 people from Morocco. The Ceuta leader arrived at the Royal Family's summer residence with a clear message. Ceuta is still far from returning to normality.

Vivas traveled expressly to Palma and arrived at the palace around 5:50 p.m. The King was waiting for him at the entrance of Marivent, where they shook hands, exchanged a few words, and posed for graphic reporters before beginning the audience included in the official agenda of the Royal Household.

The meeting was held after a week marked by the humanitarian crisis and the difficulties in assisting those who remain in the city. The Ministry of Interior estimates that 72,000 people entered Ceuta last Thursday and calculates that around 70,000 have already returned to Morocco or left Spanish territory.

Ceuta remains in emergency

Vivas himself assured this Thursday during a meeting with representatives of the European Parliament that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants still remain in Ceuta. He also raised the number of people who died during the massive entry to around one hundred.

Felipe VI already expressed last Saturday his "great concern and indignation" over the serious events that occurred in Ceuta and, to a lesser extent, in Melilla. The monarch then defended that "the State must ensure its security" and adopt the necessary measures to prevent a tragedy of these characteristics from happening again.

Zarzuela also reported on the contacts maintained by the Head of State with Pedro Sánchez, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and the presidents of Ceuta and Melilla. To Vivas and Juan José Imbroda, he conveyed "words of encouragement and firmness," as well as his will for both cities to receive "united, clear, and decisive" support from the rest of Spain.

Before going to Marivent, Vivas held an audience with the Balearic president, Marga Prohens, at the Consolat de Mar. During that meeting, he explained that the population of Ceuta continues to live with a "deep concern and uncertainty" and outlined the difficulties that local institutions still face.

The audience lasted for just over an hour. Upon leaving, Vivas explained that Felipe VI conveyed his "affection, support, and encouragement" to all Ceutans and expressed his conviction that the monarch will visit the autonomous city when possible.

"I have no doubt that the King will visit us, maintaining the institutional role that corresponds to him," said the president of Ceuta, who avoided speculating on a date for that trip.

During the meeting, Vivas demanded structural solutions and a reinforcement of border protection mechanisms. He also conveyed to the head of state the concern that persists in Ceuta after the massive entry and the difficulties that local institutions still face.

The president of Ceuta also referred to the call for a new massive entry that has been circulating on social media in recent hours. "Given the experience we have had," he said, he fully trusts the state security forces and bodies and the Army to ensure that "this massive entry does not occur."