Key facts
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated there is no evidence Morocco planned or facilitated the mass border breach into Ceuta.
- A police report, widely quoted in media, claimed Moroccan border forces aided approximately 70,000 people to cross the border in late July.
- Sánchez denied receiving any warning of the scale or probability of the breach.
- Morocco's justice minister had previously reiterated Rabat's sovereignty claims over Ceuta and Melilla.
- Sánchez conceded Moroccan forces allowed crossings during a 10-hour period on July 30.
- Many migrants reported being encouraged to cross by Moroccan officials, who deny this.
- The influx of migrants led to a political crisis and reignited EU tensions over immigration.
- Sánchez appealed for European solidarity, seemingly addressing criticism from Italy and Denmark.
- Thousands of migrants, including hundreds of minors, remain in Ceuta.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated there is no evidence whatsoever that Morocco planned or facilitated the mass border breach into the Spanish north African territory of Ceuta. Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Sánchez addressed a police report that suggested Moroccan border forces actively aided approximately 70,000 people to cross the border in late July.
Sánchez assured that no institution, including the diplomatic service or the European Commission, had provided the Spanish government with solid evidence of Moroccan planning or execution of the incident. He also denied that the government had received any prior warning about the scale of the breach.
The prime minister's remarks followed a protest in Madrid against his handling of the crisis. Sánchez has previously defended Morocco's cooperation in returning most migrants. However, he revealed that Spain had summoned Morocco's ambassador on August 21 due to "unacceptable statements" from two Moroccan ministers regarding sovereignty claims over Ceuta and Melilla.
While Sánchez has "for now" ruled out Moroccan government involvement, he conceded that Moroccan forces allowed crossings to occur during a critical 10-hour period on July 30. Many migrants reported being encouraged to cross, though Moroccan officials deny enabling it.
Opposition leaders criticized Sánchez's response. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People's party, called for Sánchez's resignation, while Santiago Abascal of the far-right Vox party suggested Sánchez himself was acting as Morocco's ambassador. The influx of migrants resulted in a political crisis, a humanitarian emergency, and reignited EU tensions over immigration, with as many as 141 deaths reported.
Sánchez appealed for European solidarity, seemingly directing comments at Italy and Denmark, which had publicly criticized Spain's handling of the situation. Despite 90% of migrants being returned within 24 hours, thousands, including hundreds of minors, are believed to remain in Ceuta. Sánchez emphasized that migrants have rights under Spanish, European, and international law, and that facilities may be invested in within Ceuta to accommodate the remaining migrants.