Video. Ceuta Awaits King Felipe After Summer Migration Crisis
The first royal visit since 2007 comes as authorities clear camps, shelter thousands of migrants and face pressure before Spain’s November election.
- Today, King Felipe and Queen Letizia visit the North African enclave of Ceuta to support residents recovering from an unprecedented migration crisis, marking their first royal visit since 2007.
- Following a summer surge where more than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into the city of 80,000 inhabitants, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro faces significant political pressure before November's election.
- Ana, a 33-year civil servant, criticized the timing, stating "If the king had come on the second day of the invasion, he would have come across all the mess that we had here."
- Authorities recently cleared the last major informal settlement at Guano, where more than 350 police officers and soldiers transferred residents on Sunday, before the royal couple travels to Melilla on Wednesday.
- The trip carries diplomatic risks as Morocco claims sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, with Moroccan King Mohammed recently condemning "the irresponsible statements made by certain political and media circles and their blatant instrumentalisation of the situation.
51 Articles
51 Articles
19 years is the last visit of a Spanish king to Ceuta. Now Felipe travels to the African exclave. Two and a half months after a serious border crisis, his visit sends a political signal.
On the first visit of a Spanish king since 2007, Philippi VI goes to the "Septah" pocket following the immigration crisis, amid local reservations and anticipation of the Rabat position.
It is the first to be held in the city, to express its support for the Ceutis after the massive influx of migrants at the end of July
It continues live the last hour of His Majesties' visit to the autonomous city today after the immigration invasion in July, in which it will be the first visit of a Spanish monarch to this enclave in North Africa in 19 years
The promenade was cleaned up, the last migrants transferred, on the occasion of the visit to the Spanish exclave of King Felipe with Queen Letizia. The last time a sovereign, in 2007, opened a diplomatic crisis with Morocco. This time it is even more delicate, three weeks after the elections, with immigration key theme of the political match. But also King Mohammed VI of Morocco made himself heard, proposing a new pact of cooperation to Spain
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
