Spain Knew of Ceuta Crossing Plans in Advance

Spanish intelligence warned both Madrid and Moroccan authorities about plans by migrants to enter Ceuta en masse a day before more than 70,000 people crossed into the North African enclave.

On 29 July, Spain’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI) alerted Morocco’s DGST and DGED intelligence agencies to plans circulating on social media for migrants to enter Ceuta by scaling the border fence or swimming around it during Morocco’s Throne Day celebrations on 30 July. The CNI also warned the Spanish government’s representative in Ceuta that day.

Two online groups involved in the plans had a combined 180,000 followers, according to the CNI. Documents released by the Spanish government on Wednesday also show that the crisis had been building for days, with around 1,700 migrants arriving by sea from Morocco between 25 July and the mass crossing.

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the documents did not show that the government had been warned of the scale of the impending surge. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously stated that Spain had found no evidence that Moroccan authorities orchestrated the crossing.

Spain’s Interior Ministry, however, reported passivity among Moroccan border police, despite plans to reinforce the border with 1,000 additional police officers and soldiers. The CNI said the increased security presence had proved insufficient to control the crowd.

Six weeks after the surge, more than 10,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, remain in Ceuta. Non-governmental organizations estimate that around 140 people died during the crossing.

(Reuters, luc)