Vox wants to militarize Ceuta and Melilla

The debate over the militarization of Ceuta and Melilla gained prominence last week when the Vox party presented a proposal to reform the Organic Law of National Defense. The proposal aims to include irregular migration in the explicit missions of the Armed Forces, allowing military personnel to operate on the borders of the autonomous cities and have detention powers.

What the proposal entails

The initiative, registered in October 2023, adds the phrase "and illegal immigration" to the section that authorizes the Armed Forces to collaborate with the State Security Forces and Corps in the fight against terrorism. The preamble of the law also goes on to mention irregular migration as a risk to peace, stability, and security. The text does not provide for new detention powers for the military, but allows them to act as agents of authority at the borders.

Reaction of the government parties

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and its partners Sumar, PNV, ERC, Podemos, and BNG rejected the proposal. Deputy José Antonio Rodríguez Salas of the PSOE argued that current legislation already allows the use of the Armed Forces in risk situations, and that immigration can be controlled without militarization. Sumar described the initiative as "opportunistic" and criticized the association of immigration with terrorism. Mikel Legarda of the PNV highlighted that the Armed Forces can already intervene in hybrid operations, but that regular migration control is the responsibility of the police. Francesc-Marc Álvaro of the ERC accused Vox of mixing immigration, Islamism, and terrorism, while Javier Sánchez Serna of Podemos denounced that the reform “equates immigration and terrorism” and makes migrants a “military target.”

Defense by the Popular Party

The Popular Party (PP) decided to support the proposal, but with the intention of proposing amendments. Spokesperson Rafael Hernando stated that the reform could legally protect military personnel at the borders and allow them to intervene directly in irregular entries. Hernando also criticized the situation in Ceuta, calling it a "consented invasion instrumentalized by Morocco," and accused Rabat of using its citizens as "cannon fodder" in a "hybrid warfare" operation against Spanish sovereignty and the southern border of the European Union.

Context of the crisis in Ceuta

Vox's discourse is based on the crisis that occurred in Ceuta at the end of July, when about 10,000 people crossed the border in May 2021. Deputy José María Sánchez García of Vox argued that the geographical location of Ceuta and Melilla creates a "chronic and permanent" problem that justifies a permanent military presence to contain and deter irregular entries.

Next steps

The formal vote is scheduled for next Wednesday. The PP and Vox have already announced their support, while the main government partners and nationalist groups have rejected the proposal. Junts and EH Bildu did not participate in the debate. If the proposal does not obtain a majority, it will not advance in the legislative process.

With information from El Constitucional.