Spain attacks 'selfish' response of some EU countries to Ceuta migrant crossings

What the report says

Spain has criticized what Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described as a “selfish, polarising and unlawful” reaction from some EU governments after about 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The BBC reports that Spanish officials said almost all who reached Ceuta on 30 July had since returned, and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the death toll linked to the crossings had risen to 67.

The dispute widened after Italy temporarily suspended the Schengen border-free arrangement with Spain. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the scenes in Ceuta “shocking,” and Finland and Denmark supported Rome’s stance. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš also called for a temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen membership, while France, Portugal and others discussed tighter border measures.

In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Sánchez said Spain had regained control of the border in less than 48 hours and had prevented any onward movement to mainland Europe. He said critics were acting out of prejudice, misinformation or political motives, and stressed that Ceuta is outside the Schengen area. Spain summoned the Italian ambassador and urged European solidarity instead of what it called partisan rhetoric.

The BBC says the surge led Spain to send troops, police, drones, divers and boats to Ceuta, while also reinforcing security in Melilla. Ceuta and Melilla are Spain’s only land borders with Africa, and both have long been pressure points in migration routes toward Europe.