Spanish PM Criticized Over Migrant Crisis

A Spanish opposition leader criticized the Socialist prime minister over the management of migrant arrivals in a North African enclave. Santiago Abascal, the leader of the Vox party, accused Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of mishandling the situation in Ceuta. During a parliamentary session, Abascal questioned if Sánchez was under pressure from Morocco regarding the border situation.

Abascal called Sánchez both a “traitor” and “a dog”. In response, Sánchez engaged in a heated exchange, stating: “I may be a dog, but I have no master.” Abascal emphasized his point by holding up letters spelling “traidor”, meaning “traitor” in Spanish.

The migrant situation in Ceuta has sparked significant protests, with critics targeting Sánchez for the crisis. Some have accused him of appeasing Morocco. Over 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta in July. Many returned to Morocco, yet some still remain, living in temporary encampments on the beach.

Spain’s national intelligence agency issued several warnings prior to the mass influx. Declassified documents shared by the government revealed that, on July 29, a day before the initial crossings, the National Intelligence Center sent a WhatsApp alert. This message informed the Spanish government’s delegation in Ceuta of social media calls for a large-scale crossing attempt.

The alert warned of two groups, with a combined following of 180,000 people, indicating the potential scale of the event.