Spanish intelligence services warned Moroccan and Ceuta authorities of planned mass migrant crossings the day before approximately 72,000 people entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta on July 30 and 31, according to newly declassified government documents. The warnings, delivered via notes to Moroccan intelligence and Spanish officials, detailed social media activity in WhatsApp and Facebook groups promoting a coordinated attempt to cross the border, particularly on Morocco’s Throne Day. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, had previously stated there was no indication of the “magnitude” of the influx, a claim now contradicted by the released documents.
The CNI, Spain’s National Intelligence Service, reported that around 180,000 people were receiving messages encouraging migrants to cross “both swimming and via the [border] fence,” with one message stating, “Whoever wants to cross has the last chance on Throne Day at 8 the authorities will be distracted with the celebrations and parades.” While at least 100 people died during the crossing, and as many as 5,000 remain in Ceuta in makeshift camps or on the streets, leading to local unrest, Sánchez maintains there is no evidence of Moroccan complicity in facilitating the crossings. A leaked police report earlier this month suggested Moroccan police involvement.
Left-leaning and right-leaning outlets both highlight the contradiction between Sánchez’s statements and the intelligence reports. GB News emphasizes the Prime Minister’s insistence that the surge was unexpected, while also noting reports of a spike in sexual assaults following the influx. The BBC reports that opposition parties accuse the government of misleading the public. While Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares insists the documents showed no warning of the border rush, Ester Muñoz of the People’s Party stated, “They had the information, they are directly responsible for the invasion of Ceuta and for those who died.” The long-term impact of the influx and the extent of any Moroccan involvement remain unresolved, despite mounting pressure on Sánchez to provide a full account of the events.
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy