Former Spanish Intelligence Chief: Morocco’s claim over Ceuta and Melilla will never disappear

Spain’s former director of the National Intelligence Center and ex-ambassador to Morocco and the U.S., Jorge Dezcállar, told La Razón that Morocco’s claim over Ceuta and Melilla is permanent and will never disappear.

“Morocco sometimes applies more pressure, and in others, it eases off depending on bilateral relations—but the claim never goes away,” said Dezcallar. “Anyone who thinks Morocco will one day abandon these claims is mistaken, just like Spain will never give up on Gibraltar.”

He also dismissed concerns about the U.S.-Morocco alliance being a threat to Spain, emphasizing that the U.S. maintains excellent relations with Spain, including a key military base in Rota that is crucial for Middle East operations. “I don’t see how this could weaken Spain’s position in the region,” he added.

Dezcallar expressed surprise over the continued closure of Ceuta and Melilla’s borders since 2019, stating that Morocco is using economic pressure on both cities while Spain has failed to reverse the situation.

He stressed the need to accept these realities, as geography means Spain and Morocco will always be neighbors.

He also pointed to a long-standing power struggle between Morocco and Algeria, dating back to their independence. 

Algeria has the second-largest defense budget in Africa, while Morocco is also investing heavily in military technology from the U.S., France, and Israel. However, he clarified that this military buildup is not aimed at Spain.

Regarding NATO, he argued that Spain is right to demand more focus on the alliance’s southern flank, given the instability and terrorist threats in the Sahel region. With both Al-Qaeda and ISIS operating there, he noted that it has one of the world’s highest terrorism-related death tolls, despite receiving little Western media attention.

Dezcallar was critical of Spain’s unexplained policy shift on Western Sahara, insisting that foreign policy should be built on national consensus rather than changing with each government.

He also voiced concern over Spain’s slow progress in increasing defense spending. While the country pledged in 2014 to reach 2% of GDP for military expenses before 2030, it remains at just 1.29%. “Spain has long relied on U.S. protection, but Washington’s stance is shifting. Now, we have to take responsibility for our own security,” he warned.