Felipe VI meets Ceuta leader amid migration crisis

A week after a mass crossing of migrants from Morocco into Ceuta, King Felipe VI received the city's president, Juan Jesús Vivas, in a private audience at the Marivent Palace in Palma. The meeting, held on August 6, was a gesture of institutional support for the autonomous city, which is still struggling to return to normality. Vivas described the encounter as 'encouraging,' saying the King conveyed 'cariño, apoyo y ánimo' for all Ceutans. Source: ABC The King has followed the crisis with 'gran preocupación e indignación' and has been in contact with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and the presidents of Ceuta and Melilla. Source: Infobae

The crisis

On July 30, an estimated 72,000 to 80,000 people entered Ceuta irregularly from Morocco, an influx that Vivas calls a violation of Spain's territorial integrity rather than a conventional migration crisis. Source: ABC While most have returned, between 3,000 and 6,000 remain, and Vivas insists 'Ceuta no se ha recuperado de este trance.' Source: El Confidencial The city's population of about 84,000 has been overwhelmed, with shelters in collapse and hundreds of unaccompanied minors needing care. Source: Heraldo de México

The reaction

Vivas used the audience to demand urgent action: 'expulsar a todos' those who entered irregularly and reinforce border security. Source: El Confidencial He also met with Balearic President Marga Prohens, who expressed concern and called for structural solutions. Source: La Vanguardia The King, constrained by the need for government coordination, has not visited Ceuta, but Vivas said the monarch 'mantiene su compromiso de visitar Ceuta.' Source: Euronews Meanwhile, Moroccan state media publicized the King's congratulatory message to King Mohammed VI on the Throne Day, which coincided with the crisis. Source: El Mundo