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Spain’s king and queen visit Ceuta as territory grapples with protracted migration crisis
The royal couple will meet local officials and visit a cemetery honoring more than 140 migrants who died in July crossings.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Ceuta on Tuesday, marking the Spanish monarchy's first visit to the North African enclave amid its deadliest migration crisis this year.
Historical divisions between Muslim and Christian communities have intensified as about 80,000 migrants crossed Ceuta's border in July, with residents reporting feeling abandoned by Spain's central government.
Demonstrators have established makeshift camps outside government buildings, with one resident asking, "What do they want? That we feed all of Ceuta?" Local business owners expressed frustration with the ongoing situation.
Spanish police and thousands of soldiers have been deployed to patrol the city center and border areas, though volunteers providing food assistance report receiving threats from residents.
Residents await the royal visit skeptically, questioning whether the monarchy's presence will prompt meaningful policy changes amid ongoing political inaction that continues fueling community tensions.
The kings of Spain, Philip VI and Letizia, make a historic visit to Ceuta and Melilla in the midst of a severe migratory crisis and diplomatic tensions.
The people in Ceuta cheer the visit of the Spanish king and his wife. But still thousands of migrants are in the exclave. The anger of the inhabitants is great, as is shown on the spot. It has a reason above all.