The influx of thousands of Moroccans into Ceuta has triggered a diplomatic crisis with the Italian Government, led by the far-right Giorgia Meloni. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has summoned the Italian ambassador in Madrid, Giuseppe Buccino Grumaldi, to express his displeasure over statements made by his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, who supported closing the Schengen area – which allows free movement across European countries – due to the situation in Ceuta. “This message is unworthy of the Foreign Minister of a partner and friendly country from whom we expect European solidarity and not partisan demagoguery,” Albares wrote on X.
Read more Gustavo Petro travels to Cuba on the eve of handing over power
The head of Spanish diplomacy was responding to a message from Tajani, who had written on the same social network: “I am in favor of closing the Schengen area with Spain and have full confidence in the actions of the Minister [of the Interior, Matteo] Piantedosi. Irregular and uncontrolled immigration represents a danger to national security. The images coming from Ceuta show how the Madrid Government’s decision to grant Spanish citizenship, and therefore European citizenship, to more than 500,000 irregular immigrants is profoundly wrong and encourages human trafficking.”
Meloni’s government has not been the only one to take advantage of the Ceuta situation to attack Pedro Sánchez’s migration policy. White House Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly has blamed the crisis on the Spanish authorities and their “far-left policies.” In statements to Europa Press, Kelly emphasized that “President [Donald] Trump has long warned Europe about what would happen if it continued to apply far-left globalist policies; among others, those that facilitate mass immigration.” “Spain and other countries that have adopted this destructive philosophy should change course immediately or risk their own destruction.”
Foreign Ministry sources have emphasized that the Ceuta crisis “has nothing to do with the regularization of migrants as falsely claimed by some quarters,” nor with the naturalization of foreigners, as Tajani has asserted, mixing two different issues. “It is false that anyone who has crossed in recent days can benefit from this process, as it requires very specific conditions, such as proving residence in Spain before January 1, 2026, and having stayed in Spain continuously for five months at the time of submitting the application.”
Read more That afternoon with Manolo
The same sources underline that “this crisis originates from an interpretation of the Supreme Court’s decision, which prohibits the return of people who enter by swimming, which has been exploited by mafias to take advantage of the extreme vulnerability of migrants. The relationship with Morocco is excellent and coordination remains very intense. Both countries have agreed on mechanisms for the return of migrants who have crossed the border illegally,” they add.
This version has been endorsed by the Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, who has assured that the two governments are in contact “to resolve this situation not desired by the Kingdom of Morocco” and what the Rabat Government asks of its citizens who have crossed the border is to return to their country. “I can confirm that this is not something we are pleased with; we always prefer legal, orderly, and safe immigration for all,” she said at the reception held at the Embassy on the occasion of the Throne Day.
Read more The cultural manager Natalio Grueso leaves prison after the Government pardon
