At the center of the controversy is the enormous number of migrants who reportedly entered Ceuta from neighboring Morocco at the end of July.
Authorities recorded approximately 72,000 crossings between July 30 and July 31, according to figures cited in reports about the crisis.
The scale of that influx is particularly striking considering Ceuta itself has a population of only around 80,000 to 84,000 people.
In other words, the number of migrants reported crossing the border in roughly two days approached the population of the entire Spanish territory.
Sánchez’s government says most of those who entered have since returned or been removed, although thousands reportedly remained after the initial surge.
The situation has fueled growing tensions inside the enclave.
Some migrants have reportedly stayed in makeshift camps and tents along beaches and in urban areas, while confrontations have also been reported involving migrants and Spanish nationalist groups.
That anger spilled into the streets this week.
Attendance estimates for the Madrid demonstration varied significantly depending on the source. Government officials placed the crowd at approximately 50,000 people, while Madrid City Council estimated that as many as 150,000 participated.
Another estimated 20,000 demonstrators gathered in Ceuta, while roughly 25,000 reportedly participated in Valencia. Smaller demonstrations were held in numerous other Spanish cities.
Spanish national flags and the flag of Ceuta were prominently displayed as demonstrators demanded stronger action from the central government.
One slogan heard during the protests captured the mood of many participants:
“Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended.”
Other demonstrators called for migrants still remaining in Ceuta to be returned to their countries of origin or relocated elsewhere. Sánchez also faced demands that he step down.
Several major opposition figures appeared at the Madrid demonstration.
People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Vox leader Santiago Abascal attended separately, while Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso was also present.
The demonstrations were largely focused on the government’s border response, although tensions escalated after the principal Madrid gathering concluded.
Police reportedly deployed crowd-control measures after a smaller contingent attempted to move toward Spain’s Congress.
The political fallout has also intensified questions about exactly what happened at the Moroccan border.
Opposition politicians have accused Sánchez’s government of failing to adequately protect Ceuta and have demanded answers about whether authorities received warning signs before the massive influx.
A National Police report provided to investigators reportedly raised the possibility that Moroccan security personnel had been unusually permissive or may have helped direct people toward the border.
The Sánchez government, however, has disputed suggestions that Morocco deliberately organized the crossings.
Officials say they have no evidence establishing that the Moroccan government planned or carried out the influx. Madrid has instead pointed partly to human-trafficking networks and misinformation circulating online as factors behind the sudden movement of people toward Ceuta.
Sánchez addressed Parliament on September 3 as the political pressure mounted.
The prime minister acknowledged that the government’s response could not be considered adequate until normal conditions had been restored in Ceuta and pledged additional government resources.
At the same time, Sánchez rejected accusations that his administration knew beforehand that such an enormous influx was coming and simply failed to stop it.
The crisis now presents another major political headache for the Spanish leader.
Sánchez has already faced demands to leave office over separate corruption investigations involving people close to him and members of his family. He has rejected those calls, and there is currently no indication that the nationwide demonstrations over Ceuta will persuade him to change course.
For Spain’s opposition, however, the border crisis has become a potent symbol of what it portrays as a broader failure by the country’s left-wing government to maintain control over immigration and defend Spanish territory.
The sheer scale of the reported crossings has ensured that the issue is unlikely to disappear quickly.
With opposition parties demanding accountability, questions surrounding Morocco’s role still hanging over the episode and thousands of Spaniards taking their frustration into the streets, the political battle over Ceuta has moved far beyond the borders of the tiny North African enclave.
What began as a migration emergency has now developed into a nationwide confrontation over border security, sovereignty and the leadership of Pedro Sánchez.
