Migrants in Ceuta Start Hunger Strike Amid Border Crisis

More than 100 migrants camped on a beach in Ceuta have launched a hunger strike to protest their potential return to Africa, according to reports from Spanish state media outlet EFE and additional coverage by Polish news service Do Rzeczy.

The protesters, predominantly from Morocco, have set up cardboard signs detailing their demands for international protection and better living conditions as diplomatic tensions persist between Madrid and Rabat. According to reporting from Do Rzeczy, the participants are seeking to prevent deportation following a massive surge of crossings that brought thousands of individuals into the Spanish exclave.

Political Debate and Government Response in Madrid

The ongoing migrant presence has intensified political friction across Spain. According to Do Rzeczy, the Partido Popular (PP) has criticized the central administration for perceived passivity, submitting a parliamentary resolution to establish a unified crisis command center and to repatriate individuals who entered the enclave unlawfully.

In response to the criticism, Spanish Migration Minister Elma Saiz announced plans to prepare 1,500 new accommodation spaces for migrants currently in Ceuta, as reported by Do Rzeczy. Saiz defended the government’s approach, noting that her department previously declared a state of emergency and allocated funds to bolster humanitarian aid efforts. The Spanish Red Cross has been designated as the primary organization to distribute daily food packages and deliver ongoing social and medical services.

Local Warnings and Demands from Regional Leaders

Ceuta’s local leadership has voiced severe concern over the stability of the territory. Juan Vivas, the leader of Ceuta representing the Partido Popular (PP), announced plans to meet with the presidents of Spain’s Supreme Court and Constitutional Court to communicate that the enclave remains in danger, according to Do Rzeczy. Vivas accused the cabinet of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of attempting to downplay the severity of the situation.

Meanwhile, the far-right Vox party has demanded the public release of intelligence reports from Spain’s National Intelligence Center regarding Morocco and the border crisis. The Partido Popular has similarly requested details concerning post-crisis diplomatic negotiations between Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and his Moroccan counterpart.

The Government Health Institute in Ceuta reported that local residents maintain uninterrupted access to healthcare services, and regional medical facilities continue to operate with available capacity. Minister Saiz emphasized that state operations adhere strictly to national and European law, cautioning against the use of the migration crisis to fuel anti-immigrant sentiment.