Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters demonstrate outside the Moroccan embassy in Madrid
Around 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta irregularly in recent days, according to local authorities, an event described by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as an “attack and a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.”
At the forefront of the demonstration, some protesters held a large banner reading “Reverse Migration,” a concept promoted by many far-right organizations in Europe.
Protesters hurled insults at Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose government advocates an open approach to migration, diverging from the prevailing trend in many European countries. The crowd accused him of “selling out Spain” amid a “crisis that has gotten out of control.”
A large police presence surrounded the protesters outside the Moroccan embassy, including a helicopter and a surveillance drone flying overhead.
The demonstration began at 8:30 p.m. and dispersed peacefully after about an hour.
On another front, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that almost all migrants who arrived in Ceuta have now returned to Morocco, declaring the crisis effectively over after a flow of at least 50,000 people.
Albares wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Almost all those who arrived in Ceuta have since returned to Morocco.”
He stated that the integrity of the Schengen area had been maintained and that it had not been possible to reach mainland Spain without identity checks, in response to criticism from other EU member states.
He criticized what he termed “interest-driven confusion” surrounding the crisis, without directly naming any specific government. Italy had previously announced it would temporarily suspend the Schengen agreement on freedom of movement with Spain.
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner wrote on X that Albares informed him in a phone call that “almost all who entered Ceuta have returned... and no one crossed into the EU mainland.” He added that they would remain in close contact.
A spokesperson for the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU said that experts from EU member states are scheduled to meet on Saturday to discuss developments. A meeting of EU ambassadors will also be held on Monday to assess the situation and facilitate coordination.
