Ceuta crisis fuels accusations of betrayal against Sánchez and his allies
A column denounces Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for allegedly abandoning Ceuta amid a mass migrant incursion and blames his inner circle for the fallout.
In a sharply worded editorial, the writer claims Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has effectively deserted Ceuta while a large group of migrants remains on the streets, creating daily insecurity for residents. A short visit by Poncio Marlaska is dismissed as a staged success story that ignores the ongoing presence of migrants, including minors. Mayor Juan Jesús Vivas, speaking at a local forum, questions why the invasion was not prevented, why border controls were halted, and why the government has hidden the Moroccan naval incursion for weeks.
Retired General Ballesteros, former head of national security, describes the Moroccan frigates’ entry into Spanish waters as a clear invasion and proposes a state of exception to force a mass return of the migrants, citing a secretive letter Sánchez sent to Mohamed VI without cabinet approval. The article further attacks Deputy Prime Minister Margarita Robles for aligning with Sánchez, drawing parallels to past political compromises, and warns that the upcoming election will decide Ceuta’s fate.
Why it matters
The piece highlights how the Ceuta standoff could influence Spain’s political landscape and its relations with Morocco.
How this story developed
- Aug 21 Spanish police detain five suspected migrant smugglers operating from Ceuta
- Sep 28 Frontex added that the western Mediterranean corridor recorded a 34% rise.
- Sep 28 The European Union is preparing detailed accession roadmaps for Montenegro, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Albania, outlining staged reforms and timelines.
- Oct 1 etc
- Oct 7 King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will invite civil-society groups from Ceuta and Melilla to the traditional reception at the Royal Palace.
- Oct 10 EU has begun drafting specific accession roadmaps for Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania.
- Oct 12 Moroccan naval vessels entered Spanish territorial waters around Ceuta while large numbers of migrants crossed the land border, prompting a Spanish naval response.
- Oct 13 The royals have begun an overnight stay in Ceuta as part of their extended visit.
- Oct 13 Santa María was replaced by the frigate Navarra after a mechanical failure.
- Oct 13 Police and the army cleared the Guano informal migrant settlement in Ceuta’s northern bay days before the royal visit.
- Oct 14 EU officials released a draft accession schedule for the four candidates.
- Oct 14 The royal couple travelled from Ceuta to Melilla, where they were presented with the city’s golden key and toured a bilingual school with an autism classroom.
- Oct 15 Feijóo filed a popular accusation with the Audiencia Nacional over the Moroccan ships' entry.
- Oct 15 In his Melilla speech the king emphasized the city’s status as part of the EU’s external border.
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