US reaffirms Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta, Melilla, distances itself from congressional report

The United States has reaffirmed Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla while criticizing the Spanish government’s handling of the recent migrant surge in Ceuta.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told POLITICO that Washington’s position on the two Spanish-administered North African cities had not changed, amid concerns in Madrid that the Trump administration could be reconsidering their status.

“The United States unequivocally supports Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla,” Pigott said.

His comments came after a recent U.S. congressional report referred to Ceuta and Melilla as being in “Moroccan territory” and called for negotiations over their “future status.”

The language raised concerns in Spain, particularly amid closer relations between Washington and Rabat and growing tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

The State Department stressed that the congressional report does not constitute U.S. law or represent a change in official American policy.

Instead, Pigott sharply criticized the Spanish government over its handling of the recent migration crisis in Ceuta, accusing Madrid of failing to adequately protect the city’s borders.

He described the government’s position as a “shameful refusal” to defend its territory and attributed the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants to what he called Madrid’s failure to secure the border.

“The invasion of tens of thousands of migrants into Ceuta is a direct consequence of the Spanish government’s refusal to defend their sovereignty, secure their borders, and protect their people,” Pigott said.

According to POLITICO, around 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco last week, triggering a major political and security crisis in Spain.

The episode has also renewed attention on the status and security of Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco claims as part of its territory while Spain considers them integral parts of the country.

Pigott called on Madrid to “take all necessary actions to remove illegal migrants and regain control over its borders,” warning that a large-scale migration influx into Ceuta could have broader security implications.

“Unrestricted mass migration into Ceuta endangers the Spanish people and threatens the security of Europe,” he said.

The State Department said Washington stands with Spain and other European countries in supporting their sovereignty and efforts to secure their borders.

The comments effectively separate Washington’s official position on the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla from the language used in the congressional report, while highlighting U.S. criticism of Spain’s handling of the migration crisis.