Spain's central government took control of the Port of Ceuta on Saturday to establish temporary tent accommodations for migrants, overriding opposition from the autonomous city's local administration.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente signed an order authorizing the installation of tents across 16,000 square meters of public port domain in the western dock area. The measure, enacted under Article 73.3 of the State Ports and Merchant Marine Law, is intended to temporarily house more than 1,000 migrants currently in the city.
The Port Authority of Ceuta's board of directors, controlled by the city of Ceuta, had voted against the tent installation. Ceuta's president, Juan Jesús Vivas, opposed the plan at the final stage of negotiations, citing concerns that the port is essential for supplying the enclave and that a large fuel storage facility is located nearby.
The central government had previously sought alternative locations for migrant housing, including a shuttered factory, a former military hospital, and sports centers, all of which the local administration rejected. The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration will oversee the installation of the new facilities.