Thousands of migrants and asylum seekers have gathered in Ceuta, the Spanish North African enclave, where they face severe shortages of food, water, shelter and sanitation, creating a humanitarian crisis that has ignited intense political and social tension within the territory.

At the end of July, a massive border breach saw thousands of people swim or ride inflatable rafts across the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco, resulting in approximately 90 deaths and sparking a heated debate about the European Union’s external borders and the responsibilities of its member states.

Ceuta’s Mayor‑President Juan Jesus Vivas, a member of the conservative Popular Party, demanded an urgent internment centre, insisting that 8,000 to 11,000 migrants remain and that the situation is unsustainable, while the central government claims most have already returned to Morocco.

Political friction is evident as Spain’s left‑leaning central government clashes with regional leaders from the Popular Party and far‑right Vox, who oppose taking in unaccompanied children, while police presence has been bolstered, including a 40 % increase in civil guards, to restore order and facilitate expulsions. Authorities also announced that 5,000 residents protested on Sunday, underscoring public concern over safety and resource strain.