Italy threatens to suspend Schengen with Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis

On July 30, 2026, Italy's government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, threatened to suspend the Schengen free-movement agreement with Spain over the migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Meloni said she would not stand idly by and considered closing the border between Italy and Spain. The White House also criticized Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, attributing the crisis to his 'far-left' policies. Spain rejected Italy's proposal, calling it 'demagogy' and refusing to declare a state of emergency in Ceuta, despite local requests.