Ceuta: Spain announces €309 million aid package for enclave

Spain’s government has approved a €309 million aid package for Ceuta after residents accused Madrid of abandoning the North African enclave during a prolonged migrant crisis.

The money will strengthen public services, security forces and migrant reception, while also supporting businesses, self-employed people and workers. The government said the funds will begin flowing this year and represent 16% of Ceuta’s gross domestic product.

Of the total, €118 million will go toward receiving and caring for migrants. Security measures will receive €90 million, while €21 million is earmarked for basic public services. Another €80 million will support the local economy and provide relief for self-employed people and employees.

The decision follows the arrival of about 72,000 migrants from Morocco on July 30 and 31, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Many swam across or climbed border fences, and most returned to Morocco within hours. A month later, about 5,000 migrants remained in the territory, including 1,200 minors.

Residents increasingly protested the continued presence of those migrants, and some attacked migrants. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government has faced mounting pressure. Nationwide solidarity demonstrations for Ceuta’s population were planned for Wednesday, with further criticism of the government expected. Sánchez recently rejected Moroccan responsibility for the migrant influx and accused Israel and Russia of spreading disinformation about the crisis. Ceuta, one of Spain’s two North African enclaves, is claimed by Morocco and has about 83,600 residents.