Pedro Sánchez meets for the second time with ministers to analyze the situation in Ceuta after the migration crisis

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, will lead a coordination meeting by videoconference this Monday with several members of his Executive to analyze the situation in Ceuta after the massive entry of migrant people into the territory and after the entry of more people into Spanish territory was prevented this Saturday, August 15. The meeting, convened by the head of the Executive and which he will direct from the official residence of La Mareta, in Lanzarote, will serve to monitor the situation. 

The following are summoned to the meeting: the First Vice President and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares; the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles; the Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Vístor Torres; the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, and the Minister of Youth and Childhood, Sira Rego.

In parallel, Elma Saiz will travel to Ceuta today to meet with the president of the autonomous city, Juan Jesús Vivas. 

In the first meeting chaired by Sánchez, it was determined that the ministers would appear at their own request in the Congress of Deputies at the end of August. Robles will do so on the 25th, Bolaños on the 27th, Marlaska and Albares on the 28th. 

Spain and Morocco stop the entry of people into Ceuta

The extensive security operation deployed by Spain and Morocco due to the fear of a new attempt of massive entry into Ceuta has prevented a collective crossing from Moroccan territory. The alert had been activated after calls circulated on social networks in recent weeks to try to reach the autonomous cities this Saturday, August 15. Faced with this scenario, Spain has reinforced border surveillance in Ceuta and Melilla, while Rabat has multiplied controls and personnel in the vicinity of both territories.

In Ceuta, the Spanish deployment currently totals 880 national police officers and 714 civil guards, in addition to 45 agents from the Prevention and Reaction Unit and another 20 personnel from the Central Foreigners and Borders Brigade. This contingent is joined by riot units, divers, boats, and aerial assets, as well as nearly 2,000 military personnel available for support tasks. Surveillance extends to the land perimeter, beaches, breakwaters, and waters near the city, where a maritime barrier of about 500 meters has also been installed in Tarajal. The Spanish deployment is coordinated with Morocco, whose control of movements in its territory is key to preventing large groups from simultaneously reaching the border.

Moroccan action has intensified especially in Fnideq, a town located next to Ceuta. Hundreds of police, gendarmes, members of the Auxiliary Forces, and riot units have taken positions at the accesses and areas near the border, with vehicle checkpoints, road surveillance, and patrols in wooded areas. Barbed wire and metal barriers have also been installed, while riot vehicles and Royal Navy boats remain deployed in the coastal area.

Charges against migrants by the Moroccan Police

This Saturday, Moroccan security forces charged against groups of migrants trying to advance towards Ceuta in a mountainous area located about three kilometers from the border. Agents used tear gas and batons and had the support of helicopters, drones, and police dogs to disperse the groups. So far, 148 people have been intercepted: 128 from sub-Saharan African countries and another 20 of Moroccan nationality. 

Rabat's operation has also included actions against those who, according to authorities, would be promoting calls through social media. In recent days, the General Directorate of National Security has arrested 61 people accused of inciting or promoting irregular migration. These actions are in addition to the restrictions imposed on the ground on Spanish media outlets that were covering the operation.