Spain has sharply criticized what it describes as the "selfish, polarising and unlawful" reactions of some European Union countries following the arrival of approximately 60,000 migrants from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Officials report that nearly all migrants who reached Ceuta on July 30 have since returned. However, Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced on Saturday that the death toll linked to the crossings had risen to 67.

The situation escalated when Italy temporarily suspended the EU's border-free Schengen arrangement with Spain. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled the scenes in Ceuta as "shocking" and described the uncontrolled immigration as a threat to national security. Finland and Denmark supported Italy's decision, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called for a temporary suspension of Spain's Schengen membership.

In response, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed "serious concern" in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about the stance of some European governments. Sánchez emphasized that the Spanish government had regained full control over the border and prevented any unauthorized movement towards continental Europe within 48 hours. He also highlighted that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area.

While acknowledging that most EU countries showed support and solidarity, Sánchez accused others of attacking Spain, driven by "prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest." He warned that "The European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction."

Finland's Interior Minister Mari Rantanen stated that preparations have begun to restore internal border checks "if the need arises."

Sources