Iker Jiménez launches 'Horizonte' from Ceuta amid migration crisis

Iker Jiménez launches 'Horizonte' from Ceuta amid migration crisis

On Monday, August 31, Iker Jiménez swaps the studio for the streets. The host of 'Horizonte' will move his show to Ceuta, while Carmen Porter remains in Madrid. This choice comes amidst a migration crisis, with figures ranging from 70,000 to 80,000 immigrants reportedly entering the city in just 48 hours during July, according to data cited on the program itself. It is a risky bet: the city is experiencing palpable tension, and the live broadcast has become a hub of news –from brawls to information about King Mohammed VI's health–.

Discrepancies in the figures

Iker Jiménez himself shared a tweet on social media stating that at the end of July, there was a mass entry of 80,000 immigrants from Segarro within 48 hours. However, viewer discussions suggest another figure: 70,000 entries, with 90% returning, which would leave around 5,000 currently. These differences reflect the difficulty of counting such a phenomenon in real time and the need for independent verification. What is undeniable is the pressure on the city's resources, with an economic and human cost that has barely been quantified.

Journalism or spectacle?

The decision to take 'Horizonte' to Ceuta has caused division. Some applaud the bravery of a communicator who leaves the comfort of the studio to cover a crisis on the ground. Others, however, see a showman using others' suffering to boost ratings, especially recalling his role during the pandemic. Criticism of the program's editorial line is not lacking, with some considering it close to the far right, although Iker himself has boasted about having guests of all political stripes. In any case, the live broadcast from Ceuta is producing moments of high tension, such as a brawl with police that resulted in one person being taken to emergency services.

The border as a stage

The program airs in the midst of a debate on border control. Critical voices argue that Spain does not protect its borders properly and should reinforce military and police presence. Others demand a specific law treating mass entry as an invasion, facilitating immediate expulsion. Meanwhile, the situation is complicated by unconfirmed reports, such as claims that Mohamed VI is hospitalized in France, or that the head of Segarro intelligence allegedly fled to Spain. All this fuels a climate of uncertainty that the program captures live.

With these elements, the new season of 'Horizonte' presents itself as an unprecedented journalistic experiment. But the question remains: is the program offering rigorous analysis or merely exploiting the crisis for entertainment? Only time and further data will tell if this approach helps understand the reality of Ceuta.