Por qué Ceuta es el epicentro de una tenebrosa lucha internacional

Ceuta, a small autonomous city in Spain, has become the epicenter of an international struggle involving various interests and geopolitical plans. The primary focus is the bilateral relationship between Spain and Morocco, marked by territorial tensions. Due to the influx of tens of thousands of people in a short period within a sensitive and easily controllable location, it is unlikely this would have happened without Morocco's agreement or cooperation, a country known for its strong police and intelligence capabilities.

This event occurred shortly after a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting in-the-moment returns for maritime arrivals, as well as the emergence of Spain's closer ties with Algeria—accompanied by President Sánchez's visit to Algiers—and the approval of a Spanish Congress' justice committee bill granting citizenship to Sahrawis born in the territory as Spanish colony and to their descendants.

The broader context of this relationship reveals more, including other migration crises with political calculation features and a distinctly appeasing Spanish government attitude towards Morocco. The standout example is the abrupt shift in Spain's policy towards the Sahara, which has broken the traditional stance of the government on the issue and lacks clear, tangible, and equal value alternatives.

Relations with Rabat are particularly delicate for Madrid due to territorial claims, migration issues, and counter-terrorism efforts. This may explain some caution, but not necessarily its correctness.

Another secondary aspect is the international geopolitical context, involving key countries like the United States and Israel, who are staunch supporters of Morocco and highly hostile to the Sánchez government. Spain has been vocal in its criticism of their military operations in Iran or Gaza, and has taken decisions that have infuriated Trump, who has threatened retaliation.

This threat may come in commercial form, but it is a difficult one since Spain is protected in the common European market. Some speculated that it could affect NATO bases in Spain —but it would be shooting oneself in the foot for Washington—. A hybrid attack, in the form of migration, appears to be highly appealing to the White House and Netanyahu's government.

Time will reveal whether this gesture was an act of favor or prior consent. The third dimension is the purely political dimension. Global right-wing forces are ecstatic about this crisis that affects a political adversary and provides an opportunity to promote their thesis. The scene in X and other contexts, from Meloni and Abascal to Trump and Musk, is telling.

The Italian government, in its low moments, has led an opportunistic movement, proposing the suspension of the Schengen space with Spain. Following this, others echoed the call. Italy, despite its obstructionist stance from the PP, should have acted more actively. The situation is geopolitically and politically charged, with the EU crisis opening a new rift between its enemies, including Russia and the US.

Russian propaganda has not taken long to stir the Ceuta crisis to provoke discord, and the US has promised in its National Security Strategy to "cultivate resistance" to the European project, fostering the rise of ultra-euro-sceptic parties to hinder this integration path, which is the only one to confront the predators of this century.