MADRID, Spain – The Unified Association of the Civil Guard, the majority union representing the force, has denounced the lack of resources available to officers facing migration pressure in and around the autonomous city of Ceuta, as criminal networks continue to exploit dense fog conditions to traffic migrants towards the Spanish mainland. In a post on its social media account, the union warned that mafias are continuing to make the most of the situation at the expense of human tragedy, taking advantage of heavy fog at critical points along the Ceuta coastline, including Calamocarro beach and the cliffs of La Sirenita, to smuggle people across the Strait of Gibraltar.
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The union released images and video footage captured on the same day under conditions of zero visibility, alongside a photograph of a vessel recovered by Civil Guard officers on 24 August. The post stated that the images speak for themselves, highlighting the dangerous conditions under which both migrants and traffickers operate. The union emphasised that agents confront this harsh reality on a daily basis on the southern frontier of Europe, where the combination of geographic proximity to Morocco and the presence of organised criminal networks has turned the area into a persistent flashpoint for irregular migration.
The Civil Guard association called for urgent reinforcement, demanding additional resources, more officers and dedicated personnel to process foreign affairs files and guarantee security in Ceuta. The union’s appeal underscores the growing strain on law enforcement personnel who are tasked with intercepting smuggling operations while also managing the administrative and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis. The deployment of smaller, faster vessels by trafficking networks, often launched under the cover of darkness or thick fog, has made interdiction increasingly challenging, requiring specialised equipment and sustained maritime patrols.
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The denouncement comes amid heightened international scrutiny of Spain’s border management following the mass crossing of more than 70,000 migrants into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July, an event that overwhelmed local resources and exposed gaps in coordination between Spanish and Moroccan authorities. While the immediate influx has subsided, the daily reality of smuggling operations continues to place pressure on Civil Guard units, whose members have repeatedly voiced concerns over insufficient staffing and ageing equipment. The union’s latest statement reflects a broader frustration within the force, which has long called for a comprehensive strategy to address both the root causes of migration and the logistical capabilities needed to interdict trafficking networks operating in the Strait.
