Mayor of Ceuta Urges Spain to Deploy Border Security Forces

The Mayor of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, has requested that the Spanish Government deploy military personnel to assist with security at the border with Morocco, following a surge in migrant arrivals in the Spanish autonomous city located in North Africa. In recent days, Ceuta has faced a sharp increase in the number of migrants from Morocco attempting to enter the city by swimming and on foot.

“We demand that national forces and security agencies be strengthened, and that the army be deployed to guarantee the integrity of the border and the safety of citizens,” said Vitas. Authorities in Ceuta have also demanded that the border with Morocco be closed and that a state of national emergency be declared.

“Morocco has exploited opportunities within its hybrid warfare strategy, once again using migratory pressure against Ceuta as a tool for political blackmail,” according to a statement released by Jupol on the X platform. Spain and Morocco have reportedly agreed to arrange the transfer of all migrants who have entered Ceuta illegally, ensuring they are returned to Moroccan territory as soon as possible, as reported by the Spanish international news agency, EFE. In the last 10 days, it is reported that nearly 1,500–2,000 people have arrived and entered the territory of Ceuta.