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The Spanish prime minister wrote to the European Commission president to express serious concern about the reactions of some member states to the migrant influx into Ceuta, according to a BBC report. Pedro Sánchez stated that while most EU governments offered support and solidarity, others chose to attack Spain driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance or political interest. Sánchez added that the European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction, the communication showed.
Italy’s decision to suspend the Schengen border-free arrangement with Spain for 30 days drew sharp criticism from Madrid, Reuters reported on July 31 2026. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the scenes shocking and a threat to national security before announcing the measure that affects air and sea travel. Spain summoned the Italian ambassador and its foreign minister called for European solidarity rather than partisan demagoguery.
This incident follows a pattern of migration pressure on Spain’s North African enclaves, with nearly 8,000 people entering Ceuta in two days during the 2021 crisis triggered by diplomatic tensions with Morocco, a historical account on Wikipedia details. The latest surge was reportedly fuelled by misinterpretations of a June Supreme Court ruling preventing summary returns of sea arrivals, which circulated on social media, according to Time. Spain’s plan to regularise half a million undocumented migrants earlier in 2026 has also been blamed by some European right-wing politicians as creating a pull factor, an Euronews article from July 31 found.
According to Spain’s interior ministry, the death toll from the chaotic crossings stood at 67 as of Saturday with almost all of the migrants returned to Morocco in coordination with Moroccan authorities. The ministry detailed deployment of troops, additional police, drones, divers and boats to regain control of the border within 48 hours. No migrants managed to move onward to mainland Europe or the rest of the Schengen area, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner confirmed following discussions with Spanish officials.
Several other EU nations echoed Italy’s concerns with Finland preparing to restore internal border checks if needed and Denmark urging consideration of all options including Schengen suspension, the Guardian’s live updates showed. French authorities quintupled police presence on the border with Spain and Portugal’s prime minister considered similar reinforcements. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed support for Spain’s refusal to allow illegal migrants onto the continent while demanding Morocco take them back immediately.
The events have reignited debates over the EU’s migration framework following the approval of tougher return rules by the European Parliament in June, multiple outlets reported. Sánchez blamed trafficking mafias for exploiting the court ruling and orchestrating the mass attempt that he described as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity. Ceuta and Melilla represent the European Union’s only land borders with Africa, making them perennial flashpoints for irregular migration from Morocco where high unemployment persists.
