The U.S. State Department has unequivocally supported Spain's sovereignty over the North African exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, while criticizing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government for its response to a large influx of migrants. A spokesperson blamed Spain's refusal to defend its borders for the crisis.
The U.S. affirmation of Spain's sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla is crucial amid regional tensions and Morocco's territorial claims, impacting diplomatic relations and security in North Africa. The criticism of Spain's border policies also highlights broader European concerns about migration management.
The United States has stated its firm support for Spain's sovereignty over the North African exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, seeking to quell concerns that its stance had shifted. This clarification comes amid a crisis where tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco.
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott insisted that there has been no change in U.S. policy, stating, "The United States unequivocally supports Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla." He noted that a recent U.S. Congress report describing the cities as being in "Moroccan territory" did not represent official U.S. law or policy.
Pigott criticized the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, for its handling of the situation, particularly its "refusal" to defend its borders against what he termed a "migrant invasion." He argued that the influx of migrants was a direct consequence of Spain's failure to secure its borders and protect its people, and called on Madrid to "take all necessary actions to remove illegal migrants and regain control over its borders."
The crisis in Ceuta had initially drawn criticism from some EU leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, who accused Spain of failing to protect the Schengen Area's external border. Although EU member states have since praised Madrid's response, Pigott reiterated the U.S. stance that unrestricted mass migration endangers Spanish and European security.