HIBAPRESS – Mohamed Zariouh
In statements that sparked widespread controversy in diplomatic and media circles, US Representative Mario Diaz-Balart affirmed in a press interview published Thursday that the cities of Ceuta and Melilla are part of Moroccan territory, opening the door to a heated debate about Morocco's legitimacy in the matter of sovereignty over these two occupied cities. Diaz-Balart considered that these lands do not fall within the Spanish geographical scope, which is considered a statement supporting the Moroccan position, which demands the return of Ceuta and Melilla to its full sovereignty.
These statements are of great importance given the position of Diaz-Balart, who holds the chairmanship of the Subcommittee on National Security and the Foreign Ministry of the Appropriations Committee in the US House of Representatives. In this capacity, Diaz oversees the direction of foreign policy budgets and international aid, and also has a close relationship with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This background enhances the impact of his statements on the international political and diplomatic arena. These statements come against the backdrop of strained relations between the United States of America and Spain, as a decision was recently made by the Spanish government to prevent the passage of US-Israeli military aircraft through its airspace to Iran, which sparked harsh criticism from Diaz-Balart towards the policy of the Spanish government led by Pedro Sanchez. Diaz considered that these policies contradict American strategic interests on sensitive issues such as Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. Diaz also pointed to the possibility that the United States of America may seek alternative military arrangements in the region, which some interpreted as an indication of the transfer or expansion of the American military presence in North Africa, specifically in Morocco. This possibility may reshape the military balances in the region, at a time when Morocco continues to assert its sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, and bets on increasing international support in this regard. In light of this diplomatic escalation, it is expected that relations between Washington and Madrid will witness further political tensions, at a time when Morocco looks forward to strengthening its international legitimacy regarding its right to sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, in the face of Spanish attempts at provocation.
