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Spain and Morocco meet for project on Ceuta and Melilla

·1 min read·2 outlets
Photo via Miguel González Novo from Melilla, España / CC BY-SA 2.0

The short version

Spain and Morocco face diplomatic tension after a bill in the US that questions Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla. The document, approved by the Republican Party, allocates $40 million to Morocco and requires discussion on the status of exclaves.

A bill passed by the Republican Party in the US in mid-July defines Ceuta and Melilla as “situated in Moroccan territory,” ignoring Spanish sovereignty over the exclaves.1 The bill allocates $40 million to Morocco and requires the U.S. State Department to discuss the territories' “future status” with Spain.1 The document was approved by a Republican majority committee in the US Congress.1

The project comes in the context of rivalry between Morocco and Algeria, with Spain supporting Algeria on the issue of Western Sahara.2 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently visited Algeria and promised to increase the country's natural gas exports, which displeased Morocco.2 Morocco has the support of the Trump administration, according to the Observer's report.2

A former Trump supporter accused Spain of having “paid Morocco to invade,” referring to the bill.1

“They paid Morocco to invade Spain”
Ex-apoiante de Trump1

Why it matters

  • Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish exclaves located in North Africa, separated from mainland Spain by Morocco.1

  • Western Sahara is a disputed territory in northwest Africa, whose sovereignty is claimed by both Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario Front.2

This account was written from the 2 reports listed below, filed by 2 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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2 source reports

2 outlets · 1 countries · citation numbers match the article

  1. 1

    CNN Portugal · PT

    "Pagaram a Marrocos para invadir Espanha", acusa ex-apoiante de Trump. O projeto-lei aprovado há duas semanas que define Ceuta como "território marroquino"

    Aug 3, 2026

    Factliner text translated from Portuguese

  2. 2

    Observador · PT

    Como Ceuta ficou no meio da rivalidade Marrocos vs. Argélia

    Aug 3, 2026

    Factliner text translated from Portuguese

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