Spain’s PM defends handling of Ceuta migrant crisis as thousands protest; 'mega-dinghies' used

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended his government's management of an unprecedented influx of migrants into the North African enclave of Ceuta that occurred in late July 2026. The crisis saw tens of thousands of individuals, primarily young men, cross into the Spanish territory from Morocco, largely by swimming or walking along the shoreline. This surge overwhelmed local services and prompted calls for a national emergency from Ceuta's government.

The events triggered widespread protests across Spain in late August and early September 2026, with hundreds of thousands demonstrating in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Ceuta itself. Protesters demanded stronger border controls, the expulsion of migrants, and the resignation of Prime Minister Sánchez, accusing his government of mishandling the situation. Opposition parties amplified these calls, citing security concerns and the strain on resources in Ceuta.

In his defense, Prime Minister Sánchez denied any forewarning of the mass crossings and maintained there was no evidence of Moroccan government orchestration, though he acknowledged a temporary breakdown in Moroccan border control. Sánchez attributed the influx in part to disinformation spread by "ultra-right" networks, as well as networks linked to Russia and Israel, which he claimed exploited a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling regarding migrant returns. The Prime Minister also pledged financial aid and increased reception capacity for Ceuta.