Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia and current member of the European Parliament, described the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla as 'colonies' during a political event. The statement was reported by several Spanish media outlets, though the exact date and venue of the event remain unclear from available sources.
Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish autonomous cities located on the northern coast of Africa, bordering Morocco. Spain has controlled Ceuta since 1580 and Melilla since 1497. Morocco has long claimed sovereignty over both territories, while Spain considers them integral parts of its national territory.
Puigdemont's remark aligns with his longstanding criticism of Spanish territorial arrangements. However, the specific context and full quote have not been independently verified by this outlet. The article was originally published behind a paywall, limiting access to the complete text.
Reactions from Spanish government officials or Moroccan authorities have not been confirmed. This story will be updated if further verified information becomes available.
