Thousands of people mobilized on Wednesday, September 2, in various towns in Spain in support of the inhabitants of the Spanish city of Ceuta, in North Africa, and to reject the crisis unleashed by the entry of more than 70,000 migrants at the end of July. In Ceuta itself there was a massive demonstration to demand answers from the Government of Pedro Sánchez.

First modification: 09/03/2026 - 01:01

Residents of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, in North Africa, took to the streets this Wednesday, September 2, to protest the Pedro Sánchez Government's management of the migration crisis after at least 72,000 people crossed from Morocco at the end of July.

Almost five weeks later, at least 5,000, including unaccompanied minors, remain stranded in makeshift camps or scattered around the streets and beaches of the enclave, according to Ceuta authorities.

Thousands of people marched through the streets of the city, of about 80,000 inhabitants, in a protest that coincided with Ceuta Day. Waving Spanish flags and blowing whistles, they chanted: "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended!"

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The participants, among whom were residents of the city and representatives of different groups, carried numerous flags of Ceuta and Spain, which filled the streets on a day in which the city demands support in the face of the situation derived from the massive arrival of migrants.

The call this Wednesday, September 2, the most massive in its recent history, sought to send a message in defense of Ceuta, as well as demand a response to the circumstances it is going through.

One banner read: "SOS. Europe, save us from our traitorous government", while some demanded that the authorities "expel the invaders" and others called for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. Demonstrations also took place in other cities in Spain, such as Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao.

Ceuta is experiencing a serious security and socioeconomic crisis after thousands of people crossed into that Spanish territory. Although the majority returned to Morocco, some 5,000, including Maghreb and sub-Saharan immigrants, still remain in the town, according to data from the Spanish Government.

Their presence has sparked almost daily protests by local residents against the Spanish government's handling of the crisis, with protesters demanding that the migrants be returned to their home countries or redistributed throughout Spain.

"The response has been inadequate, late and, to make matters worse, it has represented a total failure of duty on the part of the government. We cannot be second-class citizens, and our border should not be relegated to the background," declared David Hernández, a 45-year-old teacher.

Previously, the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, presided over the institutional event for Ceuta Day in this autonomous city, which was attended by two government ministers.

Vivas alleged that Ceuta "is in danger, but still standing", after which he asked for measures to return to normality "as soon as possible" with the expulsion of all those who entered the city illegally and who still remain there.

Right-wing voices lead the demonstration

The protests that took place across Spain on Wednesday were called by the FEMP, the federation of municipalities dominated by the main opposition party, the conservative Popular Party (PP).

In Madrid, the leaders of the main opposition party (the conservative PP) and those of the far-right VOX joined the mobilization and the protesters loudly demanded the resignation of Pedro Sánchez.

For his part, the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida (PP), defended the Spanish sovereignty of Ceuta and the territorial integrity of Spain.

"When a border is at risk, all of Spain must be behind it," he said.

Among a crowd of Spanish flags, Almeida demanded a response from the State and the European Union and asked for the "effective" return of all those who entered Ceuta irregularly.

"Ceuta is all of us," cried the Madrid mayor before concluding with "Long live Ceuta, long live Spain."

In Barcelona, ​​two opposite concentrations crossed paths in the city center, separated by a large police force.

The Spanish left-wing government distanced itself from the initiative, accusing the right of exploiting the crisis for political gain.

"It is not about defending Ceuta and its inhabitants, but about attacking the government," declared the Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, to the RNE radio station.

Controversy over police report

The political debate was focused on a report provided by the Spanish Police to the judge of the National Court who is in charge of the preliminary proceedings on the massive entry of immigrants into Ceuta.

This report describes what happened in this city on July 30 and 31 as a "planned" mass entry of people, in no case "spontaneous", and places among its organizers and executors people linked to the Moroccan security forces.

The document makes it clear that the purpose of the entry of tens of thousands of people was not immigration, as shown by the fact that only 10% tried to stay.

For this reason, the opposition and part of the left called for the resignation of the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and the leader of the Popular Party (PP), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, asked Pedro Sánchez to immediately summon the Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, to ask for explanations; and to call the Spaniard in the neighboring country, Enrique Ojeda, for consultations.

A manifesto from the citizen initiative "For Ceuta", which demands respect for the Human Rights of residents and migrants, the orderly return of those who do not have the right to remain in the country and a greater reinforcement of security, has gathered nearly 65,000 signatures. The initiative claims to have no political affiliation.

Left-wing groups and unions organized counter-demonstrations in several cities, including Madrid, to condemn the "racist and Islamophobic persecutions and attacks" against migrants in Ceuta since the massive arrival of immigrants.

Negotiations between local and central governments on how to manage the crisis are stalled, and the PP, which governs most regions, some in coalition with the far-right Vox party, is calling for the deportation of all those who remain in the country, including minors.

With EFE and Reuters

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