Resignation of Madrid's Representative in Ceuta Following the Migrant Crisis

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Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano, the Spanish government's representative in Ceuta, resigned today, Monday, citing personal reasons, following weeks of intense scrutiny over the handling of the migrant influx at the border, which included the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco.

The crisis erupted in late July when more than 72,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta, leading to confusion in reception facilities and increasing the debate over immigration policy at one of the European Union's land border points in Africa.

Most of these migrants left later, with thousands remaining in the autonomous enclave. The leftist minority government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid is struggling to contain the political fallout.

Pérez Triano, who oversaw coordination between the Ceuta government, Spanish government agencies, and security forces, defended his handling of the crisis but stated that the subsequent scrutiny, along with what he described as a campaign of harassment against him and his family, had become unbearable.

He said, "My family does not deserve for me to remain in my position any longer," referring to abuses, threats, and an incident where someone left a wreath of flowers for the dead in front of his office.

He added that the government delegation did not have operational control over the borders or security forces, and that there was no prior information indicating that a large number of migrants would enter the enclave.

The Madrid government has repeatedly confirmed that despite receiving alerts about the possibility of border crossings, there was nothing to indicate the large influx that was ultimately seen in Ceuta.

The Spanish Supreme Court is investigating the events and is scheduled to hear testimony from the former head of the Pérez Triano office this week.

In statements to the (COPE) radio station on Monday, Spanish Regional Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres said that an estimated 3,500 migrants are still in Ceuta in front of the reception facilities.