Trump slams Spain over ‘zero control’ of border as Ceuta migrant crisis deepens

US President Donald Trump has stepped up his criticism of Spain over the migrant crisis in Ceuta, accusing Madrid of having “zero control” over its border as the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faces mounting political pressure over its handling of the mass influx from Morocco.

“So sad what is happening in Spain, a country with ZERO control of its Border. WOW!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social Sunday, days after he described Spain as a country that risked being “ruined” by migration.

The remarks come more than a month after around 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, during an unprecedented surge on July 30 and 31. The crisis has left 141 people dead, while thousands of migrants remain in Ceuta, putting pressure on accommodation and public services.

Trump steps up attack

Trump had earlier criticised Spain during an interview with British broadcaster GB News, describing the mass crossing as an “invasion of a country” and saying he had never witnessed anything comparable.

The US President also linked his criticism of Spain to his long-running dispute with Madrid over defence spending within NATO. Trump has repeatedly accused Spain of failing to spend enough on defence and said during the interview that the country was “not behaving very well” over the issue.

His latest intervention comes as questions continue to be raised in Spain over how tens of thousands of migrants were able to cross the border in such a short period and over the role played by Moroccan security forces.

Sanchez has said Moroccan police “allowed the border to be crossed” but maintained there was no firm evidence that authorities in Rabat had orchestrated the influx. His government has also blamed misinformation spread online and migrant-smuggling networks for encouraging the crossings.

Pressure mounts on Sanchez

The crisis has become one of the most serious political challenges confronting the Sanchez government, triggering demonstrations in Ceuta and across Spain. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Madrid this week, while Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to secure the border and demanded greater transparency over the events surrounding the influx.

Madrid has announced a 309-million-euro emergency package for Ceuta aimed at strengthening security, supporting businesses, maintaining public services and providing humanitarian assistance. Of this, 90 million euros has been earmarked for security measures and 118 million euros for the accommodation and basic care of migrants, with particular attention to unaccompanied minors.

The Spanish government said more than 3,500 migrants voluntarily returned to Morocco between August 10 and 31, while over 200 were deported. Thousands, however, remain in the enclave as authorities work to process asylum applications and restore normality.

Ceuta, located on the North African coast and bordered by Morocco, is Spanish territory and forms part of the European Union, making its frontier one of the bloc’s few land borders with Africa.