Over 110 vessels, mostly from Málaga ports, participated this weekend in the 'Armada of Solidarity' with Ceuta, surpassing the organisers' expectations, who anticipated over 60.
The initiative, driven by the president of Sierra Blanca Estates, Pedro Rodríguez, alongside other entrepreneurs such as Marcos de Quinto, Amalio de Marichalar, Francisco Mier del Castillo, África León, Juan Núñez and Fernando Oltra, mobilised more than 110 vessels that set sail on Saturday from marinas in Cádiz, Málaga and Granada. Most departed from the Málaga province, with notable departures from Benalmádena, Puerto Banús and Manilva.
The final number doubled the initial target set by the organisers, who hoped to exceed sixty boats. On Saturday, the first 50 docked at the marina in Ceuta, and from around three or four in the afternoon, the rest began to arrive. All vessels were flying Spanish flags.
On Sunday, the fleet sailed off the coast of the autonomous city as a show of support for its residents, who have been in a complicated situation for a month following the assault at the border by between 70,000 and 80,000 immigrants, according to various sources. Some of them are still on the streets of Ceuta awaiting resolution of their personal situations and the activated expulsion proceedings.
Rodríguez, who led the arrival of the first 50 boats, highlighted the reception of the initiative and the visit to the areas where immigrants are concentrated, including the beaches.
“This is exciting and impressive beyond what we could have imagined,” he explained.
The squadron set off on Saturday at 10:00 from Algeciras and arrived in Ceuta after nearly two and a half hours of sailing. The organisers hope that this first edition will lay the foundations for a regular event that strengthens ties between the autonomous city and the Andalusian ports.
For Rodríguez, “the situation in Ceuta is dramatic” and he called for investments and aid to repair the damages caused, as well as a citizen security solution that returns the city to “true normality.”
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