Tens of thousands of Spaniards poured into streets and public squares across the country Wednesday, protesting the government’s handling of the migrant crisis in Ceuta and demanding stronger protection of Spain’s borders.
Demonstrations were held in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga and dozens of other cities, while thousands marched in Ceuta itself waving Spanish flags and chanting in support of the North African enclave. Estimates for the Madrid rally varied sharply, with government officials putting attendance near 50,000 while local authorities cited considerably higher numbers.
The protests follow the extraordinary late-July surge in which roughly 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish territory of about 84,000 residents. Most were returned or crossed back into Morocco, but Spain’s national government says about 5,000 migrants, including roughly 1,200 minors, remain in the city.
The crisis has also renewed questions over Morocco’s role in the border breach. A Spanish police report reportedly described the crossing as planned and alleged involvement by individuals connected to Moroccan security forces. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Thursday there was no solid evidence that the Moroccan government orchestrated the incident, although he acknowledged that Moroccan gendarmes allowed migrants to cross the border during the peak of the surge.
The demonstrations have placed additional pressure on Sánchez as opposition leaders accuse his government of failing to secure Spain’s borders and protect Ceuta.
