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Spanish royals make rare visit to Ceuta following migrant crisis
Overview
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have arrived in Ceuta for the first royal visit to the Spanish North African exclave in nearly two decades. The visit follows a major migrant crisis in July, which saw around 70,000 people enter from Morocco, causing local tensions, humanitarian concerns, and political debate ahead of upcoming elections. The royal couple met with local officials, plan to attend an interfaith ceremony, and are scheduled to visit Spain's other North African exclave, Melilla, next.
Key points
- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrived in Ceuta on Tuesday for the first Spanish royal visit to the city in almost twenty years.
- The visit comes in the wake of a migrant crisis in July triggered by an influx of around 70,000 people from Morocco.
- Humanitarian organisations estimate at least 141 people died during the border crossings, while thousands of migrants have remained in the city.
- Ceuta's mayor described the influx as a severe national security crisis that put pressure on social cohesion and essential services.
- Morocco maintains a longstanding territorial claim to both Ceuta and Melilla, reiterating its sovereignty claims during the recent crisis.