Morocco Accuses Spain of Lax COVID Controls, Sparking Diplomatic Tension

"The current situation of flights from Spain to Morocco represents a threat to the health of Moroccan citizens, and to the achievements of the kingdom in the fight against Covid-19," the Moroccan Ministry of Health said in a statement released on Monday, adding that "the Spanish authorities are far from guaranteeing rigorous control of the health status of passengers upon boarding at airports." Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described these accusations from Morocco as "unacceptable" and not "reflecting reality," reports El Espanol.

To read: Morocco Extends Flight Ban with Spain over COVID-19 Protocol Concerns

According to the Spanish authorities, Morocco published this message to actually announce that it has chosen Portugal as the starting point for the repatriation of Moroccans stranded in Europe after the suspension of flights decided on November 29. Morocco had already tried to create a new Tangier-Portimão maritime line to bypass the port of Algeciras as part of the Marhaba 2021 Operation, the same source notes, specifying that this latest statement from Morocco confirms that the crisis with Spain is far from over.

To read: Germany Joins US and Israel in Supporting Morocco’s Sahara Stance, Spanish Media Reports

The Spanish media argues that Morocco’s attitude aims to put pressure on Spain to get it to review its position on the Sahara and recognize its sovereignty over this territory, as the United States under Trump has done since December 2020. Meanwhile, Morocco has extended the closure of its airspace until the end of the year due to the rapid spread of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.

To read: article 88681

Special flights for the repatriation of stranded Spaniards in Morocco will be organized until December 23. After this date, no more flights to Spain will be authorized. In fact, thousands of Spaniards residing in Morocco refuse to leave the kingdom for fear of not being able to return and losing their jobs, as return flights are not allowed.

"There is nothing worse than the uncertainty of not knowing if you will be able to see your family. Spaniards in Morocco deserve to know if they will be able to reunite with their families. We are devastated," the daughter of an expatriate stranded in Morocco wrote on social media. What about Spanish diplomats and Spanish teachers posted in Morocco?, other Twitter users wonder.