The PP responds to Minister Robles' appearance on the management of the Ceuta crisis: "It was avoidable and she still hasn't explained how many entered"

The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has been the first to address the explanations of the Government of Pedro Sánchez, regarding the management of the migratory crisis, after 26 days have passed since the massive entry of people into the territory between July 30 and 31. In this regard, after the intervention of the Minister of Defense, the party of Alberto Núñez Feijóo has stated that the situation "was avoidable and still does not explain how many entered."

The Popular Party's reply was carried out by its spokesperson, Ester Muñoz, who has demanded explanations from the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, for the management of the migratory crisis in Ceuta and has directly questioned her continuity in office. Muñoz has argued that what happened on July 30 was not an isolated episode, but the result of a situation that, in her opinion, has been developing for years. In this regard, she recalled the 2021 crisis and asked Robles: "Are you going to resign?" During her intervention, she also directly questioned her: "How can you continue to be Minister of Defense?", before adding that "it is evident that you are comfortable."

Muñoz has also focused on the deployment at the border during the massive entry and has questioned whether there were enough personnel to deal with the situation. According to her, initially there were five divers and four Civil Guard agents at the fence, who were later joined by a commander who was on leave and another 15 agents from the command post, which closed its facilities to join the deployment. The popular leader has also demanded clarification on the information handled by security agencies and has asked: "Who is lying, the CNI, CIFAS, the National Police or Marlaska?"

The PP spokesperson has also reproached Robles for, in her opinion, having made "veiled criticisms" of the Government without clarifying whether the Executive knew the risk of a massive entry after the increase in arrivals by swimming recorded during the previous days. Muñoz has insisted that the situation "was avoidable" and has demanded specific data on the number of people who entered Ceuta and on the alleged sexual assaults.

Finally, Muñoz has conveyed the discomfort that, she assured, exists among the inhabitants of Ceuta. “The people of Ceuta boo them because they are afraid: women who sleep with knives”, she stated, adding that some families even choose to send their children to study in the Peninsula. The popular deputy has accused the Government of having projected an image of Spain's vulnerability and concluded her intervention with a harsh accusation: “You have betrayed Spain”.

Robles praises the work of the Security Forces and the Armed Forces

The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has opened the appearances of the Executive's ministers to explain her ministry's actions regarding the massive entry of people into Ceuta between July 30 and 31. In this context, Robles has conveyed the work of the Armed Forces and about the National Intelligence Center (CNI).

The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, began her intervention by remembering the people who have lost their lives during the migratory crisis and stressed that it is a situation with an important human dimension. She pointed out that “almost 100 people” have died, although she admitted that the exact number of fatalities is still unknown. In this context, she defended that Spain must act in accordance with legality and, especially, respecting human rights. She also considered it necessary to move towards a common, comprehensive and coordinated migration policy within the European Union, while apologizing to those who may feel abandoned.

In a message addressed to the citizens of Ceuta, Robles assured that the Government shares their concern and that “their anguish is our anguish”, insisting that they will not be alone. The minister explained that the Executive is working with the European Union to reinforce the border and has emphatically claimed the Spanishness of the two autonomous cities: “Ceuta and Melilla are Spain. They are very Spanish and represent the best of Spain”. In this regard, she warned that the Government will not allow these values to be threatened and stated that “any aggression against Ceuta and Melilla is an aggression against all of Spain”.

On the other hand, the minister wanted to recognize and value the work carried out during the crisis by the State Security Forces and Corps, especially the Civil Guard and the National Police. She also highlighted the “great work” done by the Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Center (CNI) during the situation.

"The CNI monitors the situation with 25 agents from multiple perspectives such as mafias, the rise of jihadist terrorism, or irregular immigration. The duty of secrecy is a guarantee for its action, although sometimes it is an obstacle to informing. The CNI carried out the work required of them and provided the requested information," the minister conveyed. 

The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, explained that on July 30 in the afternoon, the Government Delegation in Ceuta requested the collaboration of the Armed Forces to support the State Security Forces and Corps in view of the situation that was occurring in the autonomous city. As she detailed, after this request, the Chief of Staff of the Defense (JEMAD) established the guidelines for the available capabilities of the Armed Forces to contribute to the tasks of presence, surveillance, and deterrence.

Robles pointed out that, based on these instructions, the operational commands of the different Armies and the Navy received the order to attend to the requests of the Ministry of Interior and provide the necessary means. The minister specified that this action was carried out following the usual chain of command of the Armed Forces, through the established procedures to coordinate their intervention and provide support to the security forces.

The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has distanced herself somewhat, throughout the crisis, from the discourse maintained by the Government during the migratory crisis, especially regarding the relationship with Morocco. While the Executive has insisted on defining the neighboring country as a “reliable partner”, Robles has maintained a more forceful discourse by defending the territorial integrity of Spain and repeating on several occasions that “Ceuta and Melilla are not to be touched”.