The leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, on 11 September 2026, sharply criticised Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for failing to return to Ceuta people who entered Morocco illegally on 30 July, if Rabat agrees to take them back. Abascal made the accusation publicly and called for swift state action at the border.
The focus of Abascal’s criticism is an incident on 30 July, when numerous people crossed the border between Morocco and the Spanish Spanish enclave of Ceuta Since then, Spanish authorities have carried out identity checks and provided initial assistance. According to government sources, the cases are being legally reviewed to clarify responsibilities, protection needs and possible returns The government has repeatedly stressed that Minors special protection obligations apply. Abascal explicitly referred to minors in his criticism.
The legal situation is complex: returns require the people concerned to be clearly identified, Morocco’s agreement to readmit them to be reliable, and bilateral agreements to be applicable. Individual procedures, including hearings and legal safeguards, must also be ensured. Human rights organisations point in this regard to Spain’s obligations under international law, including the principle of non-refoulement and special standards for minors.
Pedro Sánchez’s government points to cooperation with the Moroccan authorities and a gradual approach under the rule of law. Sánchez said in early September that there was no reliable evidence that Moroccan officials had deliberately caused the border crossing on 30 July. At the same time, he rejected the accusation that his government was appeasing Rabat and stressed that he could not provoke a diplomatic dispute without verifiable facts.
Abascal’s move continues to put political pressure on the government. Opposition parties are pressing for visible border security measures and swift decisions on returns, while coalition partners and professional associations warn against blanket solutions and insist that all procedures be followed. Government sources say decisions depend on reliable confirmation from the Moroccan authorities and an assessment of each individual case.
As of today, the substance of Abascal’s accusation cannot be independently verified: there are no specific, publicly documented commitments by Morocco to readmit the people concerned. His statement therefore remains a political demand. Legally sound returns require verifiable bilateral agreements, individual assessments and respect for the protection rights of refugees and minors.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).