The President of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, on Monday increased pressure on the government of Pedro Sanchez, giving it 30 days to take measures to restore normal life in the autonomous city after a massive influx of migrants from Morocco at the end of July.
The leader of the People’s Party (PP), Vivas, warned that if there is no response, he will turn to other state institutions, including judicial bodies, as well as the General Courts (parliament), autonomous communities, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, and European institutions. “We will turn to other state institutions, we are obliged to do so: to the General Courts, to the judiciary, to the autonomous communities, to the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, to business organizations, to trade unions, of course, to Europe. To anyone, because we will not give up,” Vivas stated during an extraordinary speech in the Assembly Palace.
The President of Ceuta, who has led the city for over 25 years and has so far supported cooperation with various central governments, accused the socialist government of “almost complete passivity” and attempting to “hide reality,” asserting that the situation normalized within the first 48 hours after the mass arrival. According to Vivas, over 70,000 people illegally entered Ceuta on July 30 and 31, although official data from recent weeks indicate over 72,000 people. The vast majority subsequently returned to Morocco, but estimates suggest between 5,000 and 8,000 migrants remain in the enclave.
“Normality can only be achieved by returning to Morocco all those who illegally violated the order and entered our city,” Vivas emphasized, who also questioned the fact that the authorities have not provided accurate information on the number of people remaining in Ceuta and the number of deportation or expulsion cases initiated.
Appeal to the judiciary and criticism of La Moncloa
The PP leader announced his intention to personally bring the situation to the highest judicial bodies in Spain if they agree to receive him. In particular, he mentioned the President of the Supreme Court, Isabel Perello, and the President of the Constitutional Court, Candido Conde-Pumpido. “The judiciary is the cornerstone of the rule of law. Ceuta is in a state of emergency,” Vivas stated.
Vivas also expressed deeper criticism of the government’s strategy in La Moncloa (the prime minister’s residence), suggesting that the lack of response may be due to political intent. “Up to the final fall [of Ceuta],” he said. The President of Ceuta also called for increased cooperation with Morocco to strengthen border control and facilitate the return of migrants. He insisted that this is not just a migration emergency but also a matter of security, coexistence, public services, and territorial integrity.
“The people of Ceuta will not give up; the government is a very important part of the state, but not the entire state,” Vivas stated. On his X account, he posted an image of a football team holding a flag with the inscription: “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta is defended.” In the post, he added text with an analogy to a sports match, assuring: “We know how to resist, and I know that we will win this match with firmness, dignity, and unity.”
Reaction of the central government and disputes
Meanwhile, the central government began expanding its reception system. The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz, announced on Monday the opening of four humanitarian aid and temporary shelter centers with a capacity of about 1,500 people who arrived illegally during the crisis. This measure took place alongside the political confrontation between Madrid and the government of Ceuta.
The issue of accommodation is one of the main points of contention. Vivas opposes the use of some sites proposed by the central government for the settlement of migrants, arguing that some of them are located in central areas and cause discontent among residents. His government assures that it does not challenge all the proposed sites but specifically rejects the use of the so-called “Flour Factory” (Fabrica de Harinas), a building owned by the Ministry of Defense. “There are places that residents do not agree with. We must think about the immigrants, but we must also think about the residents of Ceuta, or do the residents of Ceuta have no rights?” Vivas argued.
The dispute also moved into the sphere of healthcare. Health Minister Monica Garcia visited Ceuta this Sunday and called on the local government to provide appropriate facilities to ensure sanitary conditions and controlled medical care. Garcia denied that the healthcare system is overwhelmed, although she acknowledged that it is under pressure. According to her data, medical services have assisted about 5,800 people in 15 days, conducting approximately 300 consultations per day. Medical workers in Ceuta reported exhaustion and pressure on services, while Garcia warned of a moderate epidemiological risk among migrants and a low risk for local residents. The minister also rejected the automatic linking of migration and disease, calling statements that link these phenomena unfair and xenophobic. Vivas responded by accusing Garcia of “distracting attention” and rejected that the city needs “lessons in humanity.” “If there is a territory where people feel the suffering of others as their own, regardless of the person’s origin, it is Ceuta and its residents. No lessons,” he stated.
The humanitarian situation remains one of the main challenges. Hundreds of migrants remaining in the city participated in a protest on Sunday at El Trampolin beach, demanding asylum and refusing to return to Morocco. Many of them are in difficult conditions, sleeping in the open air or in improvised settlements, waiting for a response regarding their status. The demonstrators held Spanish flags and signs with messages such as “We do not want to return to Morocco” and “We are also people.” Among the migrants are citizens of Morocco, as well as people from countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, and Bangladesh, some of whom claim to have come to Spain fleeing conflicts, persecution, or difficult economic circumstances. The Spanish authorities warned that those who entered illegally will not be able to stay in Ceuta or move to continental Spain, except in exceptional cases related to particularly vulnerable situations. Last Friday, amid Morocco’s increased border control, authorities detained at least 111 people trying to reach Ceuta after new calls for another mass crossing spread on social media. Spain has also strengthened security measures in the enclave, deploying over 500 additional agents.
