King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have arrived in Ceuta for a symbolic visit that underscores Spain’s commitment to its autonomous cities while navigating the complex aftermath of a recent migration surge. While over 70,000 individuals had entered Ceuta from Morocco since early 2023, with the majority subsequently returned to North Africa, thousands remain in the territory, creating a delicate humanitarian and political scenario. The royal tour has sparked mixed reactions among local residents and raises the specter of renewed diplomatic friction with Morocco, which continues to assert its long-standing territorial claims over Ceuta and Melilla.
