Politics · Spain · 5 hrs ago
Spain’s defence minister praises military work in Ceuta amid criticism
Spain’s Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, praised troops deployed in Ceuta during a migration crisis.
She spoke to them by video call ahead of Spain’s National Day.
Robles said their work helps support stability in the Spanish city and is carried out within the law.
She also said some criticism of the troops was unfair and stemmed from a lack of understanding.
The military commander in Ceuta described their work as presence, surveillance and deterrence, aimed at easing concern in the city.
The remarks underline the military’s role in responding to the situation, but no further steps were announced.
Spain’s Defence Minister Margarita Robles praised military personnel deployed in Ceuta and criticised what she called unfair criticism of their work.
She said the forces were helping address the migration crisis while maintaining stability in the Spanish autonomous city.
Robles said the personnel acted professionally and with full respect for the law despite difficult conditions.
She made the remarks during a videoconference with Spanish military personnel serving in domestic and international missions ahead of Spain’s National Day.
- Who
- Defence Minister Margarita Robles and the military personnel deployed in Ceuta.
- What
- Robles praised their work and said some criticism of them was unfair.
- When
- Sunday, 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Ceuta, Spain; Robles spoke by videoconference.
- Why
- The military personnel were deployed to help with the migration crisis and support stability in Ceuta.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I feel deeply proud of the work they do, quiet work that has faced some unfair criticism born of ignorance, but if anywhere it is necessary to have a Spanish flag and that stability, it is in Ceuta, and our Armed Forces are doing that impeccably
They are doing it with the fullest respect for the law in conditions that are not easy, but they make up for that with professionalism
Robles held a videoconference with military personnel serving in international and national missions ahead of Spain’s National Day.
The first connection was with the Ceuta Operational Command, whose representative, Brigadier General Antonio Julián Ferreras, reported on its activity in the city.
- Minister
- Margarita Robles
- Location
- Ceuta, Spain
- Date
- 11 October 2026
- Military command representative
- Brigadier General Antonio Julián Ferreras
- Mission activity
- Presence, surveillance and deterrence in Ceuta
Sources
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