Madrid confirms 200 migrants returning to Morocco daily and denies political pressure

Developments in migration management in Ceuta

Amidst the repercussions following the mass crossing crisis in Ceuta late last July, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez issued statements to clarify the situation on the ground and the ongoing administrative procedures, stressing that Spanish authorities are working at an accelerated pace to stabilize the situation.

Returns and accommodation figures

Sánchez announced that the current operation is seeing about 200 migrants returning daily from Ceuta to Morocco, as part of efforts to manage the aftermath of the recent human influx. He explained that the Spanish government has significantly increased its reception capacity, moving from 500 places to currently over 6,000 places, with contingency plans to raise this cap to 10,000 places should new developments arise on the ground.

The case of minors and cooperation with Rabat

Regarding the minors and children who arrived in the city, Sánchez noted the existence of coordination with the Moroccan authorities, confirming that Rabat has expressed full readiness to retrieve the minors and reunite them with their families. The Spanish Prime Minister noted that this process is currently undergoing the necessary administrative and legal stages to ensure the safety and future of these children, emphasizing that Madrid’s main objective is to normalize the security and administrative situation in the city before the end of the current year.

Denial of the “blackmail myth”

Politically, Sánchez was firm in his response to questions regarding Moroccan-Spanish relations, categorically denying claims circulating in some circles that his government is being blackmailed by Morocco following the “Pegasus” software leaks, describing such news as a “myth” lacking any concrete facts. Sánchez also confirmed that there is currently no evidence proving the involvement of Moroccan authorities in organizing the mass crossing, while emphasizing at the same time that Madrid remains committed to taking the necessary measures should any new data appear in the future.