CEUTA, Spain — Over the weekend, Ceuta no longer appeared as a city on edge, but the residents still felt uneasy due to the events earlier in the week. Most of the approximately 60,000 migrants who had entered the Spanish exclave from North Africa returned to Morocco by Sunday. Some, however, remained in the hills around the city. Spanish civil guard vessels continued searching the waters near the urban beach that faced a massive influx of migrants days before.
Shops in Ceuta reopened, with a blend of residents and tourists filling the open-air terraces, restaurants, and cafes. The city, home to 84,000 people and known for its multicultural identity, was dealing with the repercussions of the border breach. Locals debated the causes and responsibility for the surge.
Rekindling Europe’s Immigration Debate
The surge led to the deaths of at least 72 migrants, some drowned and others died in a stampede attempting to cross a breakwater barrier. Spanish authorities released these numbers on Sunday. The crisis has restarted debates about immigration policies in Europe.
“It’s not the young men’s fault,” said Mohamad Abdelkader Driss, a waiter at a local restaurant. “If you open the border, everyone comes in; the authorities are responsible.”
Returning migrants from Morocco indicated that the border appeared open with little intervention from authorities as many crossed. On Thursday and Friday, unauthorized arrivals between 50,000 to 60,000, mostly young men, increased Ceuta’s population significantly. Abdelkader expressed regret over the incident but noted the migrants were relatively orderly, suggesting the situation could have worsened.
Political Tensions and Counterprotests
Over the weekend, far-right politicians known for anti-immigrant stances visited Ceuta. Their presence led to counterprotests involving Ceuta’s large Muslim community, many descended from Moroccans. Alvise Pérez, a far-right politician, faced opposition during a Saturday evening demonstration, eventually needing police assistance to exit as protesters surrounded him.
Among the counterprotesters was Noor Ahmed, a student and Ceuta resident. She criticized figures like Pérez for exploiting the crisis for political gain.
“They want to take advantage of the humanitarian crisis Ceuta is experiencing,” Ahmed expressed.
Vox party leader Santiago Abascal visited Ceuta on Sunday, condemning the Spanish government for the migrant influx, labeling it as ‘an invasion.’ He stressed Ceuta and Melilla’s borders as crucial parts of Spain that are inadequately protected by the government.
Challenges to Ceuta’s Cultural Tolerance
Locals acknowledged that Ceuta’s diverse community of Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Hindus usually coexists harmoniously. However, there are concerns about what the recent events exposed about the city’s ethnic dynamics.
Eva Barrientos, a logistics worker from Ceuta, attended the protest to hear the viewpoints of right-wing leaders. She expressed doubt about lasting unity among residents, suggesting some foreign-born residents may hold more loyalty to Morocco than Spain.
“In Ceuta, we have always lived together without problems,” Barrientos stated. “But now, we realize there could be an internal adversary.”
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV expressed concerns, hoping for solutions centered around peace and justice. Migration remains a focus for the Pope, emphasized during his recent visit to the Canary Islands, a key entry point for Europe’s migrants.