Spanish Royals Visit Ceuta After Police Clear Migrant Camps

Spanish police and soldiers cleared the final major migrant camps in the North African enclave of Ceuta on October 11. Over 350 officers targeted the El Guano esplanade and Trampolin beach, transporting hundreds to thousands of migrants to reception centers. This was the fifth such operation in recent weeks, conducted to clear public areas ahead of a visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on Tuesday, October 13, followed by a trip to Melilla on October 14.

The royal visit marks the first by a Spanish monarch to the enclaves since 2007 and includes a memorial ceremony for more than 140 migrants who died during a border crisis in July. That crisis began when approximately 80,000 people from Morocco entered the city following rumors that Spain had opened its borders. While most departed, up to 15,000 remained, straining city resources and fueling social divisions between Christian and Muslim residents.

Parallel to the royal preparations, Spanish prosecutors are investigating reports of torture and mistreatment of migrants, including minors. These probes follow a September Amnesty International report alleging that Spanish soldiers abducted and beat migrants. Some migrants in the demolished camps had sought asylum to escape persecution in Morocco based on gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious views, though some were returned to Morocco following the October police clearances.