In a latest political update, the U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized the Spanish government over the migration crisis in the North African enclave of Ceuta, warning that Spain is heading toward becoming a “ruined country.”
In an interview with GB News, Trump lambasted Madrid’s handling of the massive influx of migrants who crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, pointing to it as a cautionary example.
Trump tied his criticism of the migration crisis directly to Spain’s defense posture, reigniting his frequent complaints that Madrid fails to meet its financial obligations to NATO.
These remarks echo earlier statements where Trump blamed the border breach on the “weak laws” and “mismanagement” of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration.
Describing the scenes as “very sad to see,” Trump stated: “Spain will be a ruined country. I have had my own problems with Spain because Spain does not behave very well regarding NATO. It does not pay what it should pay.”
As reported by the Guardian, Trump’s renewed comments follow a chaotic summer for the Spanish autonomous city. Following a massive surge of tens of thousands of border crossings from Morocco, Ceuta has faced intense humanitarian strain, localized protests, and domestic political deadlock over how to manage the thousands of migrants still stranded in the territory.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration has faced intense pressure from Washington not only over border control policies but also regarding Spain’s resistance to higher pan-European and transatlantic defense commitments
The U.S. President compared the severe border pressures faced by Spain with those of other Western nations, arguing that the visibility and scale of the crossings in Ceuta present an unprecedented security and societal challenge.
