Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Friday as authorities respond to a sharp increase in irregular migration from Morocco over the past several days.
The visit comes after hundreds of migrants, including many unaccompanied minors, attempted to reach Ceuta by swimming from Morocco, triggering one of the enclave’s largest migration crises in recent years.
Moroccan and Spanish authorities have since agreed to strengthen bilateral coordination to contain the crossings and facilitate the return of migrants who entered the enclave irregularly.
Morocco has also reinforced its security presence along the coast near Fnideq, deploying additional personnel and using water cannons to disperse crowds attempting to head toward the border, according to informed sources.
According to Spanish news agency Europa Press, Sánchez will be accompanied by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska during the visit.
The prime minister’s itinerary is expected to include a stop at the Tarajal border crossing before holding a coordination meeting with Jesús Vivas, president of the autonomous city of Ceuta; Miguel Ángel Pérez, the Spanish government’s delegate in Ceuta; senior officials from the National Police and Civil Guard; and representatives of the Temporary Stay Center for Immigrants (CETI) and the Spanish Red Cross.
Following the meeting, Sánchez and Vivas are expected to deliver a joint statement outlining the measures being taken to address the migration situation.
The visit underscores the growing pressure on Spanish authorities after thousands of people attempted to reach Ceuta this week, overwhelming local reception facilities and prompting intensified cooperation between Madrid and Rabat to restore control along the border.
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