DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇹 Italy /Elections & Politics

Spain's Sanchez meets ministers on Ceuta crisis, vows to boost security and migrant aid

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez convened a videoconference with seven ministers to address the migrant crisis in Ceuta.
  • The meeting focused on reinforcing security and improving assistance for migrants, including an estimated 5,000 people still in the city.
  • Tensions remain high as the Ceuta regional government criticized Madrid's response and demanded immediate action.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has convened a high-level meeting to tackle the ongoing migrant crisis in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave bordering Morocco. The videoconference involved seven ministers, including those for economy, foreign affairs, defense, interior, social inclusion, territorial policy, and youth.

It pains me that spaces have not been prepared and that the government of Ceuta is not agile enough in managing the humanitarian emergency.

— Monica GarciaThe Spanish Health Minister criticized the Ceuta regional government's handling of the migrant situation.

The gathering, the second of its kind, aimed to review measures already implemented in collaboration with Ceuta's institutions and other organizations. The government also discussed necessary initiatives to bolster security and the well-being of the local population. A key focus is enhancing the identification and support for the estimated 5,000 migrants remaining in Ceuta, among whom are at least 1,900 unaccompanied minors.

Despite these efforts, tensions persist between Madrid and the regional government of Ceuta. The president of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, has publicly criticized the central government's response as insufficient. He has issued a 30-day ultimatum for the crisis to be resolved, threatening legal action if his demands are not met.

The government has been present from the first minute, there has been no abandonment, and there has been an attempt to resolve a very complex situation.

— Monica GarciaThe Spanish Health Minister defended the central government's response to the migrant crisis.

Adding to the friction, Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia criticized Vivas for failing to provide adequate "safe and healthy spaces" for migrants. She stressed the importance of such facilities for public health monitoring, recalling similar issues during the 2021 migrant influx. Garcia defended the central government's commitment, stating they have been present since "day one" and are working to resolve a complex situation, emphasizing the critical need to prevent the spread of diseases.

We are playing with the prevention of public health and the transmission of diseases.

— Monica GarciaThe Spanish Health Minister highlighted the public health risks associated with the migrant situation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog