Italy says it will maintain temporary border controls with Spain until at least August 15, rejecting Madrid’s demand that the checks end by Sunday, August 9.
The dispute follows the arrival of about 72,000 people in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco last week. At least 100 people died, while more than 1,300 children remain among those still in the territory.
At a glance:
- Italy began reintroducing checks with Spain on August 1, calling them an extraordinary national-security measure.
- Spain gave Italy until the end of Sunday, August 9, to end the checks and said it would otherwise take proportional measures.
- At least 1,342 children remain in Ceuta, including hundreds who are unaccompanied.
- Ceuta has theoretical accommodation capacity for 90 people, while local authorities say at least 1,100 children need assistance.
What Italy and Spain are disputing
The Italian government said on Friday that it would not accept “ultimatums or impositions” from Spain. It said the controls would remain in place through at least August 15, extending the temporary measure announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on August 1.
Related coverage: Why Italy’s Spain Border Controls Are Testing Schengen.
Spain said Italy had two days to “rectify, put an end to the checks and treat Spaniards like other European citizens”. If Italy did not comply before the end of August 9, Madrid said it would adopt proportional measures to protect the interests and dignity of Spanish citizens.
Why the checks were reinstated
Meloni’s government described the controls as an extraordinary measure intended to safeguard national security and prevent possible repercussions for Italy after the Ceuta arrivals. Italy and Spain do not share a land border.
Experts cited in the source said there was little prospect that migrants from Ceuta would travel on to Italy. Rights groups described the Italian move as “political theatre”, while 22 European Union member states signed a joint letter accusing Spain of creating “pull factors” that destabilise the bloc’s borders.
More context: How online networks amplified narratives during the Ceuta crisis.
Children remain at the centre of the crisis
Spain’s Youth Minister Sira Rego said at least 1,342 children were among the few thousand undocumented migrants still in Ceuta, with hundreds unaccompanied. Two schools had been opened as authorities assessed additional sites for reception centres.
Ceuta authorities said at least 1,100 children needed assistance, compared with theoretical accommodation capacity of 90 places. Rego said transfers to mainland Spain could begin within weeks. Charities warned of abuse and exploitation, while Spain’s government approved 25 million euros to support unaccompanied minors in the territory.
Other developments in Spain
Most of the people who entered Ceuta have since returned to Morocco, according to the source, while authorities recorded at least 100 deaths during the influx.
On Friday, Spanish police said they had dismantled a people-smuggling operation believed to have brought 2,000 migrants into Spain through the country’s southeastern coast and the island of Ibiza. The transfer and support of children in Ceuta has also become a domestic political flashpoint, with the far-right Vox party opposing aid for migrant children.
Questions readers ask
When did Italy’s border checks begin?
Italy said the temporary checks with Spain began on August 1 and will continue until at least August 15.
What deadline did Spain set?
Spain demanded that Italy end the checks by the end of Sunday, August 9, and said it would take proportional measures if Italy did not comply.
How many children remain in Ceuta?
Spain’s Youth Minister said at least 1,342 children remain among the migrants in Ceuta, including hundreds who are unaccompanied.
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