Tens of thousands in Spain protest Ceuta border crisis
Tensions tied to Ceuta migrant crisis overshadow a date usually reserved for celebration
Spain is experiencing a severe border crisis in Ceuta, a small Spanish territory on the African coast. Tens of thousands of people protested on Wednesday, demanding solutions for the ongoing humanitarian crisis and blaming Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for his government's response. The crisis began in late July when about 72,000 migrants attempted to cross into Ceuta, with around 5,000, including 1,200 minors, still present weeks later.
Ceuta's local government believes the figure to be higher. The sudden influx put a significant strain on resources and angered many residents. The crisis has become a political issue, with Spain's far-right Vox party using it to criticize the left-wing national government. Madrid has allocated 309 million euros to aid Ceuta's social services, housing migrants, its economy, and security.
However, the government has denied accusations of leaving Ceuta behind, and Spanish leaders have accused other countries, including Russia and Israel, of amplifying disinformation related to the crisis.
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