Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Spain on Wednesday to protest the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, a small Spanish enclave on the northern coast of Africa.
The demonstrations coincided with Ceuta’s annual official holiday on Sept. 2. While the occasion is typically marked quietly and receives little attention on mainland Spain, this year’s celebrations were overshadowed by the country’s most serious border crisis in decades.
Protesters called for urgent solutions to the situation and criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his government for their handling of the crisis.
Large Protests Across Spanish Cities
In Madrid, authorities estimated that around 50,000 people participated in the demonstration. After the protest ended, an Associated Press journalist reported hearing shots and explosions. Spanish newspaper El País said police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Large demonstrations were also reported in Barcelona, Valencia and Seville.
Many protesters carried Spanish flags and chanted slogans including “A united Ceuta will never be defeated,” “Sánchez to prison” and “Invaders go home!” The latter was directed at migrants who remain in Ceuta.
Spain’s minister of territorial policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, accused protesters of using the demonstrations for political purposes.
“This is not to show support for the city of Ceuta or its residents; it is to attack the government of Spain,” Torres said.
What Happened During the Ceuta Border Crisis?
The crisis escalated in late July when approximately 72,000 people attempted to enter Ceuta by swimming, scrambling or charging across the border from neighboring Morocco. At least 90 people died during the attempt to reach Europe.
While most of those who crossed were quickly returned or escorted back across the border, Spain’s national government says around 5,000 people, including about 1,200 minors, remain in Ceuta weeks later. Local authorities have reported a higher number.
The sudden arrival of tens of thousands of people placed enormous pressure on Ceuta, whose population is only around 84,000. The situation also caused growing frustration among residents and local officials.
Ceuta’s authorities have accused Spain’s central government of failing to respond to warning signs before the border was breached. Questions also remain about what triggered the mass movement, with the Spanish government saying an online social media campaign helped fuel the rush.
Sánchez Rejects Claims of Moroccan Involvement
The crisis has also raised questions about whether Morocco could have done more to prevent the mass crossing.
Prime Minister Sánchez has repeatedly defended Morocco’s response, saying Moroccan authorities acted quickly to help return most of the migrants.
On Monday, Sánchez also claimed that foreign actors had amplified disinformation connected to the crisis, although he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
“There is no information from any of our intelligence services that points to the participation of Moroccan authorities,” Sánchez told Cadena Ser radio on Monday.
Sánchez, who is expected to face voters in an election next year, said a misunderstanding of a Supreme Court ruling, combined with misinformation circulating on social media, contributed to the rush toward the border.
The Spanish prime minister has also accused social media accounts linked to Russia and Israel, along with right-wing groups, of exploiting and amplifying the Ceuta crisis after the events of July 30 and 31.
Both Russia and Israel have rejected those allegations.
