Protests Erupt In Madrid
Hundreds of anti-migration demonstrators rallied outside the Moroccan Embassy in Madrid on Friday, denouncing the mass arrival of migrants from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta.
Footage shows protesters delivering speeches and waving flags outside the embassy. Some accused the Spanish government of supporting Morocco and failing to defend the country’s borders.
One speaker described Spain’s post-1978 constitutional system as a ‘genocidal and criminal regime’, while another accused Madrid and its allies of complicity.
“They are supporting Morocco. They must be held accountable. The United States and Israel are accomplices,” he said.
Another protester announced plans to travel to Ceuta on Saturday ‘to make sure what is happening does not continue’.
Ceuta Border Crisis Deepens
Around 50,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta by land and sea between Thursday and Friday, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry. Ceuta’s regional authorities put the number as high as 60,000. Many swam around coastal border barriers or crossed along the shoreline.
Spanish authorities said at least 57 people died, some by drowning and others after being crushed near the border infrastructure. More than 48,000 of those who entered had returned to Morocco by Friday evening.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta on Friday and promised to use ‘all the resources of the state’ to secure the border. He said Spain was working with Morocco to accelerate the return of people who had entered irregularly.
The crisis exposed divisions across Europe. Italy temporarily restored border controls for arrivals from Spain, prompting Madrid to summon the Italian ambassador, while France strengthened checks along its border with Spain.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the scenes from Ceuta ‘unacceptable’ and said dangerous crossings must stop, smuggling networks must be dismantled and returns carried out swiftly under EU rules.
Article by Viory
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