All Migrants Have Returned to Morocco from Ceuta: Spanish Foreign Minister

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced on Friday that almost all migrants who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta have now returned to Morocco. He affirmed that the integrity of the Schengen Area remains fully intact and warned against the spread of misinformation regarding migrants. Writing on X, Albares said: “It is not possible to travel from Ceuta and Melilla to mainland Spain without identification at police checkpoints. The integrity of the Schengen Area has been fully guaranteed. Stop the deliberate spread of misinformation.”
Earlier, Spanish news agency EFE reported that hundreds of migrants were moving toward the border on Friday afternoon to return to Morocco, citing a repatriation agreement between Spain and Morocco, as well as a shortage of basic necessities in Ceuta, including shops, supermarkets, and restaurants.
Additionally, Spain’s Civil Guard and Army Regulares Group No. 54 were deployed along the Tarajal coastal area to prevent further arrivals by sea. According to Spanish authorities, at least 57 people have died so far in this migration crisis.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had, on Friday, described the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta since Thursday as an “assault” and “a violation of Spain’s border integrity,” vowing to restore normal conditions as quickly as possible.
It is worth noting that every year thousands of people attempt to enter Spain illegally by sea from Morocco in search of better livelihoods, with many losing their lives in maritime accidents during the journey. Spain has erected border fences and walls to address the issue. In recent days, more than 50 Moroccan migrants died at the same location, after which the Spanish government began the mass process of returning illegal migrants to Morocco — a process the foreign minister has now announced as complete.