Spain has announced it will introduce temporary border checks on travellers arriving from Italy, in retaliation for similar measures imposed by Rome following a mass migrant crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

The Spanish government slammed Italy’s decision on Friday as “unfair, contrary to the EU’s interests and discriminatory for the Spanish population”. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described it as “a torpedo fired at the hull of European unity”.

Ultimatum and Threats

Madrid gave Italy until the end of Sunday, August 9, to lift the border controls, warning it would otherwise adopt “proportionate measures” to protect the interests and dignity of Spanish citizens.

“We urge the government of Italy to rectify, put an end to the checks and treat Spaniards like other European citizens,” the Spanish government said.

Italy Defies Madrid

Italy swiftly rejected the ultimatum. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said Italy “does not accept ultimatums or impositions” from Madrid on matters concerning national security and border control.

Rome confirmed it would maintain the border controls until at least August 15, pointing to warnings from Spanish authorities themselves about a possible new wave of migrant arrivals in Ceuta around that date.

Italian authorities said the temporary measure would only be reconsidered once there is certainty that there are no security or terrorism risks to Italy, no new large-scale migration wave toward Europe, and no irregular migrants heading to Italian territory via Spain.

Spain Retaliates

Hours after issuing its ultimatum, Spain’s interior ministry announced reciprocal measures. The checks will begin at midnight on Saturday and last until September 7, “amid the persistent irregular migration pressure” facing Italy, according to the ministry.

Spain argued that Italy’s justification was baseless. Madrid noted that migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly cannot freely enter the Schengen area because the enclave is subject to a special regime. Spanish authorities also said the vast majority of the roughly 72,000 people who crossed into Ceuta have already returned to Morocco.

Background: Ceuta Mass Crossing

The dispute stems from an unprecedented mass crossing on July 30-31, when tens of thousands of people swam or waded from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa. Spanish authorities said 80 people died in the crossings, though Moroccan rights groups put the death toll at least 141.

Nearly 1,400 unaccompanied minors remain in Ceuta following the crossings. The EU’s Migration Commissioner has suggested criminal networks spreading disinformation were to blame for the mass attempt.

EU Rift

Italy’s decision to partially suspend the Schengen free-travel arrangement with Spain has deepened divisions among EU members. Italy’s move was backed by Finland and Denmark, while the Czech Republic called for Spain’s membership to be temporarily suspended.

Spain accused Italy of “creating rifts and sterile conflicts driven by internal electoral motives”, while Rome insisted its measures are not directed against Spain, describing it as “a friendly country”.

The rare diplomatic spat marks a new low in relations between Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Italy’s far-right leader Giorgia Meloni.

At the time of this report, neither side had shown signs of backing down, with Spain’s reciprocal border checks set to take effect at midnight.