The Spanish government has begun the construction of new security barriers along the coastline in the country’s North African enclave of Ceuta in order to prevent illegal migrant crossings.
Sea-news.az reports that Spanish authorities are installing a 500-meter-long floating barrier in the sea at the Taraxal beach, which is intensively used by migrants. Special floating markers will be added to this structure, which stands 30-70 centimeters above the water surface and extends up to one meter deep underneath. At the same time, a special passage will be maintained in the zone to ensure the movement of Spanish Coast Guard and National Guard patrol boats.
The mass flow of migrants in Ceuta has also caused serious political discontent in the European Union (EU). The interior ministers of 22 EU member states addressed a letter to the union leadership demanding an urgent meeting and support for the protection of external borders. According to Tagesschau, the appeal—signed also by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—criticized Spain’s decision to legalize 500,000 undocumented migrants.
In response to the criticism, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that illegal entries via the Spanish route are fewer compared to the Italian, Western Balkan, and Greek routes, and emphasized the importance of EU-level solidarity in border security.
