Spanish PM denies advance warning of Ceuta migrant crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez forcefully denied allegations that his administration had prior knowledge of the migrant crisis in Ceuta, telling parliament that such claims were unfounded. Addressing lawmakers, Sánchez characterized suggestions that the government knew of the impending situation yet took no action as "absurd."

The remarks came as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Spanish cities to protest the government's handling of the crisis, which saw large numbers of migrants, including minors, breach the border into the Spanish North African enclave. The unexpected surge placed significant strain on local authorities and services in Ceuta.

Sánchez's parliamentary statement underscored tensions over the crisis, with critics questioning how the government failed to anticipate and prepare for the influx. The government has emphasized its commitment to managing migration and securing its borders, while opposition figures have called for accountability over the handling of the situation.

The crisis has become a domestic political flashpoint, with the scale of the migrant movement sparking wider debate about Spain's immigration policies and border security protocols.