Spanish Interior Minister criticizes far-right rhetoric on immigration amid Ceuta crisis

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska has strongly criticized rhetoric from the "right and far-right" that he says stigmatizes migrants and fuels social division. Speaking in Congress, Marlaska denounced what he termed "invasions" and calls to "hunt immigrants" or deport hospitalized individuals, stating such language is incompatible with democratic principles and human dignity.

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Violence is not the way to solve any problem.

Marlaska characterized the mass entry of approximately 70,000 people from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on July 30 and 31 as an "attack on the territorial integrity of Spain." He differentiated this event from typical irregular migration flows, noting that while an exact figure is difficult to ascertain, the most reasonable estimates place the number around 70,000. He also pointed out that the majority of these individuals returned to Morocco voluntarily within 24 hours.

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All of that is incompatible with democratic principles and respect for human dignity.

The minister emphasized the "sustained and effective collaboration" with Morocco, which he credited with facilitating the "massive return" of those who did not qualify to remain in Spain or the European Union. Marlaska also called for calm in Ceuta, urging an end to the escalating violence against migrants and condemning the "political exploitation" and disinformation that he believes some parties are using to incite conflict.

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We are talking about men and women, including children and adolescents, some in a state of abandonment, who must be treated with humanity and respect.

Despite the large numbers that entered, Marlaska stated that around 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta as of his address. He stressed that these individuals are "men and women, including children and adolescents, some in a state of abandonment, who must be treated with humanity and respect."

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The sustained and effective collaboration with Morocco served for the "massive return" of people who had entered Ceuta.