30/07/2026 18:26 - Internacionales
In the early hours of July 30, 2026, the Spanish city of Ceuta once again became the epicenter of a massive migration crisis. According to reports from international news agencies, hundreds of migrants jumped the border fence, while over the course of the week, around 2,000 people arrived by swimming from Morocco—at a rate of about 300 per day.
The president of the autonomous city, Juan Jesús Vivas, described the situation as an absolute humanitarian and social emergency and requested the deployment of the army. The crisis was worsened by a recent ruling from Spain's Supreme Court that prohibits hot returns (summary deportations) at sea. According to media like Infobae, this ruling went viral on social media, encouraging more crossings. Tragically, at least 60 bodies were recovered from the sea.
Ceuta is a fascinating geographical and political anomaly. Located on the northern coast of the African continent, it occupies a peninsula of just 18.5 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 83,500 inhabitants. It lies only 17 kilometers from the Spanish province of Cádiz, separated by the Strait of Gibraltar.
Its land border with Morocco is just 6.4 kilometers long, but it is one of the most heavily guarded in the world. Together with Melilla, these are the only territories of the European Union located on the African continent, making them a magnet for migration.
Spanish sovereignty over these territories dates back to the Middle Ages. Melilla was conquered in 1497 by the Catholic Monarchs. Ceuta, on the other hand, was taken by Portugal in 1415 and passed to the Spanish Crown in 1580 under Philip II.
When Portugal regained its independence in 1640, Ceuta chose to remain with Spain—a fact formally recognized in the Treaty of Lisbon of 1668. This means Spain has controlled the city long before Morocco existed as an independent state in 1956.
Since its independence, Morocco has claimed both cities under the doctrine of Greater Morocco, considering them occupied territories. However, its legal position is weak.
As detailed by La Capital, the United Nations has never included Ceuta and Melilla on its list of territories pending decolonization—unlike Western Sahara or Gibraltar. Spain argues that they are integral provinces with autonomy statutes since 1995, not colonies.
To contain migration pressure, the border is surrounded by a double fence that in some sections reaches 6 meters in height (and up to 10 meters in critical areas). Initially built in 1993, it features barbed wire, motion sensors, and cameras. The European Union financed 75% of its initial cost, making it the physical shield of the EU's migration policy.
Despite the challenges, Ceuta and Melilla remain symbols of a historic bridge between two continents. According to TN, the institutional integration of their inhabitants—who hold Spanish and European citizenship—reinforces Madrid's stance of not negotiating its sovereignty, keeping alive one of the most unique territorial disputes in today's world.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
