Podemos has criticised the central government’s decision to use parts of the Puerto de Ceuta for the temporary accommodation of migrants. The party’s organisational secretary, Pablo Fernández, accused the government on 7 September of “nefarious” management of the situation and called for a permanent solution for the people who have been stranded since the mass border crossing on 30 de julio in Ceuta.
On 5 September, the government ordered selected areas of the port to be used to set up tents and basic facilities for shelter, supplies and registration. Madrid cites the previously declared situación de interés para la seguridad nacional. In this context, the relevant Real Decreto 706/2026 expressly names the Puerto de Ceuta and the K8 site as alternative accommodation locations. According to La Moncloa , the measure aims to provide orderly humanitarian assistance, identify people seeking protection and speed up subsequent procedures, such as returns following the border crossings.
To provide support, the medical and logistics Equipo START has been deployed to the city. It is intended to stabilise initial care, open routes to regular accommodation and bridge capacity gaps between municipal, regional and state authorities. Work at the port is getting under way in stages, according to the authorities, with the focus on setting up weatherproof tents, sanitation units and sheltered waiting areas.
The political debate remains heated. Podemos sees the decision as an admission that earlier measures were insufficient and speaks of deliberate inaction by the executive. Fernández again described the events that triggered the crisis on 30 de julio as “a hostile act by Morocco” and sharply criticised the overall approach towards Rabat. Other opposition voices complain of a lack of planning and are calling for clear timetables for transfers to regular reception facilities. The government camp, by contrast, says the port is a necessary buffer to ease the situation in Ceuta in the short term and streamline procedures.
The facts are these: use of the port is planned as a temporary emergency shelter. Permanent solutions — from additional capacity beyond the port to structured distribution within Spain — have been announced, but depend on administrative and court proceedings. The viability of the port solution depends on how quickly identification, protection assessments and, where appropriate, returns or transfers are carried out.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).