Pedro Sanchez Accelerates Migrant Returns and Reinforces Security in Ceuta

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government’s priority is to speed up the voluntary return of migrants who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. Following a sudden influx of about 40,000 irregular migrants in the last few days, authorities reopened a border crossing with Morocco to facilitate repatriation and are processing the departures as quickly as possible.

Sanchez visited Ceuta on 31 July 2026 together with Interior Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska, announced the addition of roughly 400 extra civil‑guard and police officers and the deployment of army and navy units to strengthen security. He emphasized Spain’s solidarity with Ceuta’s residents, condemned the breach of Spanish territory and noted that the situation recalls the 2021 migrant surge, while diplomatic talks with Morocco are ongoing to manage the crisis.