Brussels blocks aid to Sánchez due to lack of data

Brussels demands data from Interior to unlock aid for Ceuta

The migratory influx that overwhelmed Ceuta at the end of July left a figure still ringing through: 80,000 people entered the autonomous city in just two days. Brussels offered assistance from the outset, but the Spanish government initially rejected it as “impractical.” A month later, Sánchez requested the deployment of Frontex and 32 million euros. However, the Commission has not moved: it says Interior is unreachable.

From rejection to request: a month of ups and downs

On July 30 and 31, the migration crisis in Ceuta reached its peak. The European Commission and its President, Ursula von der Leyen, offered immediate assistance, including the deployment of Frontex. But the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, rejected the offer, claiming that the European Border and Coastal Guard “is impractical” and “does not solve border control.” This stance surprised Brussels, where a coordinated response was expected.

After a month of resistance, the government succumbed to pressure and on August 28, formally requested additional deployment of Frontex and the European Asylum Agency for the triage of migrants remaining in Ceuta. Four days earlier, on August 24, Spain had requested urgent help valued at more than 32 million euros, charged against FAMI and IGFV funds, demanding a “prompt resolution.”

¿Por qué Bruselas no desembolsa?

Despite the emergency, the European Executive has taken no decision. The spokesperson for Interior, Markus Lambert, explained that the Commission has received the requests and is proceeding with top priority, but “there are still important issues to clarify that must first be responded to by the Spanish authorities.” In other words, the Ministry of Interior is not providing the necessary details to process the file. “It is important to maintain close contact to see how it can really be applied in practice,” he added.

The lack of response from Madrid has caused concern in Brussels, where it is recalled that the aid was offered from day one. Furthermore, 22 European leaders signed a letter blaming Sánchez for the crisis due to his mass regularization of irregular migrants, adding political pressure to the deadlock.

La presencia permanente de Frontex: un anuncio sin concreción

Sánchez announced in Congress his intention to ask the EU for a permanent reinforced presence of Frontex in Ceuta. The Commission, however, reminded that the agency is already present at the autonomous city's port. “Now it is about seeing in what other areas Frontex can help, and how the existing presence can be maintained,” noted Lambert. In other words, Sánchez's announcement clashes with reality: Frontex is already there, but what is needed is concreteness regarding additional deployment and funding.

Meanwhile, the 32 million remain in limbo. Bureaucracy once again proves to be the best ally of inaction. The striking fact: the Ministry of Interior does not answer Brussels' questions, and the aid that the government itself urgently requested remains blocked due to lack of information. The irony is that those who initially rejected the aid as “impractical” now cannot unblock it by failing to answer the phone.