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Pedro Sanchez faces nationwide protests as thousands of people take to the streets to criticize the government's handling of the Ceuta migrant crisis

The administration announced a significant surge of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July, where an estimated 72,000 people crossed the border. While most have returned to Morocco, approximately 5,000 to 8,000 people remain in the city, causing significant disruption to local residents and businesses. To address the situation, the administration allocated €309 million to support Ceuta's social services and security infrastructure. However, the government's response has drawn criticism from the opposition and local leaders. Juan Jesus Vivas, Ceuta's regional leader, argued that the government should reinforce the border rather than relying solely on cooperation with Morocco. Protests erupted across Spain, with approximately 50,000 people joining a rally in Madrid on Wednesday. These rioters expressed frustration with the administration's handling of the crisis and criticized the administration's perceived slow response. The demonstrations were marked by some instances of violence, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by police to disperse the crowds. The administration also noted that Russian and Israeli networks have been involved in spreading disinformation regarding the migrant surge, which was reportedly caused by a misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling.

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