Spain warns individuals against illegal entry into Ceuta and Melilla and threatens to deport them
Madrid, August 11 (KUNA) -- Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell issued a direct warning on Tuesday to individuals seeking to enter the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla illegally, stating that they would be repatriated and would not be able to reach Europe or remain in the two cities.
Speaking at a press conference during his visit to Ceuta, Borrell said, "Those in Morocco or anywhere else in Africa who are considering entering illegally should not do so," adding that "anyone entering Spain irregularly will be returned to Morocco."
The minister urged those reading "misleading" information about what they could gain through irregular entry not to risk their lives, money, and futures in a venture doomed to fail. He emphasized that the governments of Spain and Morocco are working together to ensure the return of all those who enter Spain irregularly.
He clarified that migrants "will not be able to reach the Iberian Peninsula, nor the European continent, nor remain indefinitely in Ceuta or Melilla."
Borrell noted that Morocco is fully cooperating with Spain to repatriate its citizens who entered illegally, pointing out that Rabat has "not asked for any compensation" in return. He confirmed that diplomatic channels between Madrid and Rabat have enabled the return of tens of thousands of people to the Moroccan side within 48 hours, and that "the will of both countries has not changed."
He stressed that Ceuta and Melilla constitute the border between the European and African continents, and therefore must be managed "jointly." He explained that Spain would request the European Union to increase its support for the two cities and strengthen border protection.
Borrell indicated that the Spanish government and the European Commission are working with social media platforms to counter misinformation, while the Foreign Ministry is intensifying its campaign to debunk false news through its official websites and the accounts of Spanish embassies and consulates.
Last month, Ceuta witnessed its largest wave of migrant crossings in its history, with 72,000 migrants entering irregularly from Morocco, according to data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. The ministry confirmed that 70,000 of them were returned to Morocco within 48 hours.
This prompted Madrid to deploy army units, reinforce security forces, and install floating barriers along the maritime border. Eighty people died in attempts to reach the Spanish city.
The Spanish government, in cooperation with Morocco and the European Union, is seeking to prevent a recurrence of mass entry operations into Ceuta. Madrid stated that misinformation on social media was one of the factors that contributed to the outbreak. (End) H.N.D./A.M.S.
