Spain will not ‘turn migrants into the enemy’, Sánchez tells UN as he highlights Ceuta crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended his country's handling of the migration crisis in Ceuta during an address to the United Nations in New York. He emphasized that Spain would not turn migrants into "the enemy" or abandon international law and human rights. The crisis in Ceuta, where over 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco between July 30 and 31, overwhelmed the city and led to one of Spain's most serious migration emergencies in recent years.

Most migrants returned to Morocco, but thousands remained as authorities struggled to provide accommodation and essential services.

Sánchez acknowledged that Morocco's border-control system had "failed" during the July influx, but maintained that there was no solid evidence that Moroccan authorities deliberately organized the mass crossing. He highlighted Spain's humanitarian response in Ceuta, attributing the situation to "inequality, desperation and disinformation."

Sánchez stated that Spain would not give in to fear or break the law, but would uphold decency, the law, and respect human rights. He also contrasted Spain's approach to international development with recent cuts in global development assistance, praising the country's doubling of investment in international cooperation and increase in its contribution to the multilateral system.

In his broader speech, Sánchez criticized what he called the growing influence of "selfish, ignorant and cruel" political forces worldwide. He denounced the belief that international relations are a zero-sum game, dismissing scientific evidence and assuming powerful countries can mistreat others without consequences. Sánchez accused these forces of launching illegal wars, killing civilians, withdrawing assistance to those suffering poverty and disease, damaging the environment, and undermining international institutions.

Despite his assessment, he expressed hope for the future, particularly in addressing the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, where Spain opposed "wars of aggression" and maintained its commitment to international law.