Spain’s National Police, backed by riot units and social-services staff, dismantled the so-called “El Guano” encampment in Ceuta on 11 October, removing roughly 400 irregular migrants who had been camping on the beachfront since the mass crossing of 30–31 July. According to the Interior Ministry, 312 occupants accepted voluntary return to Morocco under the bilateral readmission agreement, while 82 vulnerable cases—including unaccompanied minors and pregnant women—were transferred to reception facilities on the mainland. The operation took place two days before King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia embark on an unprecedented two-day visit to Ceuta and Melilla. Local officials insisted the timing was coincidental, but NGOs such as Caminando Fronteras criticised the move as “cosmetic,” arguing that basic asylum screenings are still pending for many of the evacuees. For Madrid, clearing the camp was also a prerequisite for resuming normal cross-border trade at the Tarajal crossing, which remains partially closed. Hoteliers and exporters on both sides of the Strait say prolonged instability has already cut freight traffic by 23 % since August, driving up logistics costs for firms that route goods via Algeciras. Companies planning short-term assignments to Ceuta should expect sporadic police checkpoints and continued ID verification at the port and heliport. While the removal of the camp reduces immediate public-health risks, humanitarian agencies warn that new informal settlements could re-emerge if the legal status of remaining migrants is not swiftly clarified.
Source: Euronews / Agencia EFE
