Salvador Fontenla Ballesta, a retired brigadier general in the Spanish Army, voiced his dissatisfaction with the defense plan recently unveiled by the Spanish government, which earmarks just €72 million for the cities of Ceuta and Melilla out of a total budget of €10.4 billion. In an interview with El Independiente, Fontenla argued that the primary need for the two enclaves is to establish «deterrent capability», which, he explained, involves «having the political will to defend them and being prepared to use military force to safeguard national territorial integrity and sovereignty». He stressed the necessity of stationing «at least three infantry battalions specialized in urban warfare» in Ceuta and Melilla, supported by a rapid intervention force based on the mainland. Fontenla identified Morocco as the main threat to the two cities, citing the country's «official and public» claim to Ceuta and Melilla—something he views as «a direct threat and an attack on Spanish territorial integrity». He argued that Morocco does not issue empty threats, saying, «It has shown in the past its willingness to use force, including military action, to occupy territories it unilaterally considers part of its sovereignty, as seen in Ifni and the Sahara». When asked whether Spain's shift in position on the Sahara issue has improved the security of Ceuta and Melilla, Fontenla responded that this and other concessions are «simply signs of weakness—something Morocco fully understands». He added, «Weakness is incompatible with deterrence. If it reaches a certain threshold, it may encourage aggression, as the potential aggressor may believe there will be no consequences». He also expressed skepticism about Spain's allies stepping in during a crisis, asserting, «Neither NATO nor the European Union will defend us if Ceuta and Melilla are attacked. We must be ready to defend ourselves. And if Morocco decides the time is right to reclaim the two cities, its traditional allies—namely the United States and France—will support it».
