King Felipe VI has started a rare visit to Ceuta as the Spanish enclave deals with the aftermath of a July migrant surge from Morocco. The trip comes amid tensions with Rabat and growing pressure on Spain's government.
01Summary
- 01Around 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in July, and humanitarian organisations estimate at least 141 died.
- 02This is the first Spanish royal visit to Ceuta in nearly two decades.
- 03King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are due to meet local authorities, visit a school and attend an interfaith ceremony at the Sidi Embarek Muslim cemetery.
- 04Juan Jesús Vivas said an estimated 15,000 migrants remained in Ceuta, while central government officials said 7,400 places were available to house them.
- 05King Felipe is due to make a speech on Tuesday evening before travelling to Melilla on Wednesday.
02Why it matters
The visit highlights Spain's struggle to manage migration pressure in Ceuta and the political fallout ahead of elections next month. It also underlines continuing friction with Morocco over the two North African enclaves.
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