Pedro Sánchez Pursues Algeria Rapprochement Amid Ceuta Migrant Crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Algiers on 20 July 2026, his first trip to Algeria in four years, to signal a definitive thaw in bilateral relations that had been frozen after Spain backed Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara. The visit produced warm statements, energy pledges and a promise of renewed high‑level dialogue. Sánchez’s delegation, which included executives from Repsol, Naturgy, Moeve and Enagás, sought to secure roughly a 10 % increase in Algerian natural‑gas supplies via the Medgaz undersea pipeline and discussed cooperation on green hydrogen, infrastructure, defence technology and water‑resource management. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described the talks as “fruitful” and “frank”.

At the same time, Sánchez faced a sharp migrant surge at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on the Moroccan border. The government deployed the army, installed a 500‑metre floating barrier and declared the situation under control. Sánchez sent a letter to European counterparts criticizing what he called attacks on Spain, while foreign leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni condemned the influx. Domestic opposition parties, including VOX and the Partido Popular, called for border militarisation and a national emergency. The episode added pressure to Sánchez’s government, already dealing with wildfires and other crises.