Spain’s Ceuta delegate resigns after mass crossings from Morocco
Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano resigned as Spain’s government delegate in Ceuta after criticism of the response to mass crossings from Morocco. He said he had warned Madrid in advance, had limited authority over border security and faced threats against his family. An inquiry into who received which warnings is still unresolved. His resignation settles his departure, not the dispute over responsibility for the crisis.
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Pérez Triano leaves the government delegation
Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano tendered his written resignation as the Spanish government’s delegate in Ceuta on September 28. Ceuta is a Spanish city on the Moroccan border; the delegate coordinated among central government bodies there. Reuters and Europa Press placed his departure after criticism of the response to mass crossings in the summer. Reuters reported that more than 72,000 people reached Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Pérez Triano also left his Socialist Party post and withdrew his candidacy for the city presidency.[1], [2]
Former delegate says he warned Madrid
Pérez Triano said he had warned Madrid about activity at the border weeks before the mass crossing. He also argued that his delegation had no power to open the border or deploy the army. Those are the departing official’s statements, not a concluded finding about the warnings. Madrid acknowledged receiving warnings of possible crossings but said they did not predict the eventual scale. An earlier resignation by his former chief of staff over an intelligence warning added to the dispute about who knew what before the crossings.[1], [2]
He describes threats against his family
Pérez Triano cited threats against himself and his family and described a funeral wreath left outside his office as he explained his departure. Europa Press reported that he had previously informed territorial policy minister Ángel Víctor Torres of his decision. Reuters said people still outside Ceuta’s reception centres and pressure on reception capacity remained administrative concerns. The resignation removes the delegate from office while the questions about the border response continue. It is not a court or inquiry finding about how he handled the warnings.[1], [2]
