Key facts
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will convene the National Security Council on Tuesday.
- The meeting addresses the migration crisis in Ceuta, which began 26 days prior.
- Tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, overwhelming authorities.
- The National Security Council includes cabinet members, defense, and intelligence leaders.
- The crisis has led to calls for stronger EU external borders and diplomatic tensions with Italy.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to convene the country's National Security Council on Tuesday to address the ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta. This high-level meeting comes 26 days after tens of thousands of individuals crossed from Morocco into the semi-exclave, overwhelming local authorities and prompting significant political pressure.
While Sánchez has held prior online meetings with ministers on August 7 and 17, this marks the first formal emergency session of the National Security Council, which comprises key cabinet members along with defense and intelligence leaders. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m. at Moncloa Palace.
The crisis, which erupted in late July, saw an unprecedented influx of migrants, forcing Spain to deploy the army. Although most migrants have since been returned to Morocco, thousands remain, and Madrid is working to process the remaining backlog. As of August 13, approximately 5,000 migrants were still in Ceuta, according to the interior ministry.
The situation has fueled political debate, with the opposition People's Party calling for increased immigration officers to expedite returns. Meanwhile, health authorities are dispatching vaccine doses to prevent potential disease outbreaks. The incident has also spurred broader discussions at the European level regarding border security, with 22 EU leaders advocating for stronger external borders. Furthermore, it triggered a diplomatic spat between Spain and Italy, with Rome imposing temporary checks on arrivals from Spain, leading to reciprocal measures from Madrid.