Ceuta Clears Migrant Camp Ahead of Royal Visit
Spanish authorities clear illegal migrant encampment in Ceuta days before King Felipe VI’s visit.
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Over 350 officials from the Spanish National Police and other law enforcement agencies forcefully cleared an illegal migrant encampment in Ceuta on Sunday, located at the Guano esplanade. This operation took place just 48 hours before the highly anticipated arrival of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, marking the first official visit by a Spanish monarch to the North African exclave in almost two decades.
Operation and Aftermath
The operation, which involved hundreds of police and military personnel, removed approximately 500 illegal migrants from the area. Law enforcement gave migrants two choices: voluntary return to Morocco or transportation to a Temporary Foreigners’ Assistance Center (CATE) for rehousing in government facilities. The exact number of migrants returning to Morocco remains undisclosed.
An unnamed local resident who witnessed the operation confirmed that the area was cleared by 10:00 a.m. However, the resident expressed concern over the state of the Guano beach, stating it would take a long time to recover, with trash and polluted water making the area uninhabitable.
Environmental Cleanup
By Sunday night, Ceuta’s Department of the Environment, Urban Services, and Housing had removed 105 metric tons of waste from the Guano area left by the invading migrants. Despite these efforts, residents and neighborhood associations continue to express fear and concern over the ongoing situation.
Residents’ Concerns
Local residents and neighborhood associations told El Mundo that the city is far from returning to normalcy. They highlighted the continued presence of makeshift tents and an entire camp at the central square of Poblado de Regulares. An 80-year-old woman named Mina described the ongoing noise, fights, and fear that have made her stay indoors for weeks.
Residents like Mina, who has lived in Ceuta all her life, continue to face safety concerns, with many avoiding public spaces due to the persistent threat of violence and instability.
Source: Breitbart
