Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has ruled out any responsibility on the part of Moroccan authorities for the sudden influx of tens of thousands of migrants into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta last month, saying available intelligence had found no evidence of official involvement.
Sánchez said that the Spanish government had found no indication that Moroccan authorities played a role in facilitating or encouraging the mass crossing, despite the scale of the incident and the political pressure it placed on Madrid. Sánchez said in an interview with Spanish radio that “no intelligence service with which the Spanish government normally cooperates” had suggested “any … involvement in one way or another of the Moroccan authorities.”
His comments come after an estimated 80,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco over several days in late July, triggering a Europe-wide alert over the sudden movement of migrants toward the Spanish territory. Although the vast majority of those who entered returned to Morocco within hours, thousands have remained in Ceuta, including unaccompanied minors.
Spain’s left-wing government estimates that between 3,500 and 7,000 migrants are still in the enclave, while right-wing politicians in Ceuta have put the figure at around 10,000.
The continued presence of migrants has placed considerable pressure on the small territory, which covers only about 18 square kilometres (7 square miles) and has a population of roughly 80,000. Local authorities have faced challenges involving accommodation, sanitation, public services and the protection of vulnerable migrants.
Sánchez said that resolving the situation would require continued cooperation with Morocco rather than confrontation. He argued that maintaining a working relationship with Rabat was essential to managing migration flows and preventing further instability along the border. “We must be aware that this crisis can only be resolved through cooperation and not through distrust towards Morocco,” Sánchez said.
The Spanish Prime Minister also announced an additional €168 million ($195 million) in financial support for Ceuta to help the territory respond to the consequences of the migration surge. The funding is expected to assist local authorities as they manage pressure on public services and support those affected by the crisis.
Sánchez’s comments are significant because the scale of the crossing has generated questions about how such a large number of people were able to reach the enclave in such a short period. Ceuta shares Spain’s only land border with Morocco and is one of the European Union’s principal points of contact with Africa.
The incident has also fuelled political tensions within Spain. Residents of Ceuta have staged regular demonstrations over what they describe as deteriorating security and hygiene conditions following the influx. Local politicians have demanded stronger measures from the central government to restore normality and address the needs of residents.
Sánchez Accuses Israel, Russia Of Disinformation
Sánchez separately accused Israel and Russia, along with what he described as an international far-right network, of spreading and amplifying disinformation surrounding the migration crisis.
Speaking to Spanish radio, he cited research by the European External Action Service, the European Union’s foreign service, as evidence that false or misleading narratives had circulated on social media following the mass crossings. “After July 30 and 31, rumours and disinformation spread on social networks linked to Russia and Israel, and to an ultra-right international that always uses migration to attack both Spain and Europe and divide it,” Sánchez said.
He argued that the crisis had been used to criticise the Spanish government because of Madrid’s disagreements with Moscow and Israel over their respective conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Sánchez said that some of the online misinformation was aimed at encouraging migrants to enter Ceuta by swimming by falsely claiming that people who reached the territory in that way could not subsequently be returned to Morocco. “We are continuing to investigate what happened,” Sánchez said, while calling for greater European solidarity in responding to migration challenges.
The allegations have added another dimension to the political debate surrounding the Ceuta crossings. While migration and border security have traditionally been contentious issues within Spain and the wider European Union, the Prime Minister’s comments suggest that the government is also examining how online narratives may have influenced the behaviour of migrants or shaped public perceptions of the crisis.
Pressure on Ceuta Continues
Despite the return of most migrants to Morocco, the situation remains challenging for Ceuta. Thousands of people are still awaiting decisions on their status or accommodation, while local authorities continue to manage limited resources.
The situation involving unaccompanied minors is particularly complex because their return is subject to additional legal and humanitarian safeguards. Spanish authorities must assess individual circumstances and comply with applicable protections before any transfer can take place.
Sánchez said that the government would continue working with Ceuta, Morocco and European partners to manage the aftermath of the crisis. He maintained that cooperation with Rabat remained central to Spain’s migration strategy.
The episode has also renewed debate across Europe over how responsibility for migration should be shared between countries located along the EU’s external borders and other member states.
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