Ángel Víctor Torres Takes Charge of Ceuta’s Migration Crisis
Ángel Víctor Torres, who led the Canary Islands through a series of challenges including wildfires, a pandemic, and volcanic eruptions, has been appointed as the sole manager of the ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta. This comes after his successful four-year tenure as the President of the Canaries from 2019 to 2023 and his recent role in Pedro Sánchez’s government as Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory.
Torres is regarded as a crisis management expert, having handled numerous emergencies throughout his political career. His leadership during devastating wildfires in Gran Canaria, where preventative measures saved over 10,000 residents from evacuation without fatalities, showcased his commitment to public safety and effective communication.
His tenure also faced the collapse of Thomas Cook in September 2019, putting 30,000 tourists in jeopardy and threatening the local economy. Torres orchestrated a strategic response to restore air connectivity and financial support for affected businesses, securing a €15 million emergency fund for tourism recovery.
In January 2020, he confronted the COVID-19 crisis, overseeing the first reported case in Spain. His government focused on saving lives while adapting tourism protocols to ensure safety as the islands navigated shifting restrictions.
The acute migration crisis in 2020 presented another significant challenge as more than 23,000 people arrived in the Canaries. Torres coordinated with national authorities to manage the influx, advocating for the transfer of migrants to the mainland while ensuring the protection of unaccompanied minors.
Torres’ tenure also included the volcanic eruption on La Palma in 2021, where his leadership during the emergency kept casualties at zero. However, the subsequent slow pace of recovery raised concerns over the future for affected residents.
Now, as he prepares for his new role in Ceuta alongside local president Juan Jesús Vivas, Torres brings with him a wealth of experience from handling multiple crises, a skill he will undoubtedly leverage in this latest challenge. His leadership is more crucial than ever as the region aims to navigate the complex and ongoing issues surrounding migration.
