EU must strengthen borders after Ceuta migrant crisis, von der Leyen says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for the European Union to strengthen its external borders in response to a mass migrant influx into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. The influx, which saw an estimated 60,000 migrants arrive from Morocco, has largely subsided as thousands have since returned. Von der Leyen commended Spain's management of the crisis and stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation with non-EU countries to prevent irregular migration.

Meanwhile, far-right leader Santiago Abascal visited Ceuta and voiced criticism of the Spanish government's handling of the situation. The crisis peaked when tens of thousands of people, many of them minors, swam or used small boats to cross into the Spanish territory from Morocco over a short period. Spain has been working to repatriate those who entered irregularly.

The situation highlights ongoing challenges at the EU's external borders and the complex dynamics of migration flows from North Africa. Ceuta, along with the Spanish enclave of Melilla, are the only EU territories located on the African mainland, making them frequent points of arrival for migrants seeking to enter Europe.