Spanish authorities dismantled a sprawling migrant encampment Sunday on a Ceuta beach, just days before Spain’s king and queen make their first-ever visit to the contested North African enclave.
The operation at Trampolin beach targeted roughly 3,000 people who had spent two months living in makeshift tents and shelters. Officers relocated them to temporary facilities where immigration officials will either process their cases or arrange returns to Morocco, according to a spokesperson for Spain’s interior ministry.
Ceuta has buckled under the weight of migration since late July, when more than 72,000 people surged across the Moroccan border. Although most eventually returned, at least 10,000 remain in the enclave of 80,000 residents. The prolonged presence of people sleeping in public spaces has strained local services and stoked resentment.
Tensions boiled over Saturday when residents held a demonstration demanding the migrants leave.
The clearing operation carries added political weight ahead of the royal visit scheduled for October 13 and 14. King Felipe’s trip marks the first time in his 12-year reign that he will set foot in Ceuta.
Meanwhile, Morocco continues to claim sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s other North African enclave. That territorial dispute has simmered for decades and adds a layer of diplomatic sensitivity to the migration crisis unfolding on European soil.
The enclaves represent the European Union’s only land borders with Africa, making them flashpoints for migrants seeking entry into the bloc. As a result, migration management in Ceuta has become a defining challenge for Spanish authorities balancing humanitarian obligations against domestic political pressure.
The beach clearance signals Madrid’s intent to restore order before cameras arrive with the royal delegation. Whether the relocation eases tensions or merely shifts them to other parts of the enclave remains unclear.
