Lorraine Williamson
The US president made the comments on Sunday as Spain continues to deal with the aftermath of July’s unprecedented mass crossings from Morocco, and the government moves ahead with temporary accommodation for migrants still in the autonomous city.
Trump described the situation in Spain as “very sad” in a post on his social media platform, directly questioning the country’s ability to control its border with Morocco.
It is his latest intervention in the Ceuta crisis and comes only days after he described Spain as a “ruined country” while also criticising Madrid over defence spending and NATO.I
Trump renews criticism of Spain over Ceuta
The latest remarks represent an escalation of Trump’s criticism of the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis.
Earlier in the week, the US president described the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta as “very sad to see”. He has also previously blamed what he described as weak laws and poor management for the situation.
More than 70,000 people crossed irregularly into Ceuta from Morocco at the end of July, according to Spanish reporting. Most subsequently returned, but more than 5,000 people remain in the city while asylum applications or return procedures are processed.
The Spanish government has disputed some claims about the origins of the crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said last week that there was no solid evidence establishing Moroccan responsibility for triggering the crossings and ordered intelligence reports concerning the events to be made public.
Government presses ahead with temporary migrant facilities
Trump’s intervention comes as the Spanish government moves ahead with controversial plans to create additional temporary accommodation in Ceuta.
On Saturday, Transport Minister Óscar Puente signed an order allowing the government to take control of part of the Port of Ceuta and use 16,000 square metres of port land for temporary humanitarian facilities that can accommodate more than 1,000 migrants.
The decision followed the Ceuta Port Authority’s refusal to approve the proposal because of concerns over its compatibility with normal port operations. A report from Puertos del Estado acknowledged potential risks involving critical infrastructure and port operations, but concluded that overriding public-interest considerations justified the temporary use.
On Sunday, Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres stressed that the tents being installed at the port would be temporary and said they would be dismantled as migrants are returned.
Ceuta crisis enters international political debate
Trump’s latest comments add another international dimension to a crisis that has dominated Spanish politics since the mass crossings at the end of July.
The issue has already produced disputes over border security, intelligence, migrant accommodation and the government’s relationship with Morocco. It has also triggered investigations and increasingly bitter exchanges between Spain’s political parties.
Trump’s intervention is unlikely to calm that debate.
With thousands of migrants still awaiting the outcome of asylum or return procedures and Madrid pressing ahead with additional temporary accommodation, Ceuta is likely to remain one of the Spanish government’s most difficult political and humanitarian issues in the weeks ahead.