Spain's PM Sánchez Faces Criticism Over 'Late and Insufficient' Response to Migrant Crisis'

Vivas, a conservative, criticized Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for a "late and insufficient" response, saying warnings were ignored. He noted nearly 75,000 migrants had returned to Morocco, but a humanitarian emergency persists, and thousands of unaccompanied minors remain, with returns "basically impossible" without their consent. Spain has allocated €25m (£21.4m; $28.8m) for minors, though El Mundo reports 4,860 registered by volunteers—double official estimates.

No minors have been moved to mainland Spain due to right-wing reluctance. The EU Commission praised Spain's swift response, while EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner blamed criminal networks spreading disinformation, a view Sánchez echoed. Morocco blamed Spain's Supreme Court ruling that barred summary returns. Moroccan media report fresh online calls for another mass crossing attempt, despite warnings of prosecution.