Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the mass entry of people into Ceuta at the end of July as a hybrid attack on Spain and the European Union. According to Sánchez, a ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court regarding the return of migrants who swim across the border illegally was distorted on social media, and this disinformation was exploited by criminal organizations, as well as by social networks associated with Russia, Israel, and a far-right international that uses migration to attack Spain and Europe.
Sánchez dismissed any responsibility on Morocco's part in the crisis, stating that there is no information, whether from national security forces and Spanish intelligence services or from other countries, that holds Morocco responsible or points to Morocco's participation. The Spanish government leader highlighted Rabat's immediate cooperation and argued that the crisis can only be resolved through cooperation and not through a lack of trust in Morocco.
The prime minister revealed that the Spanish government had no information in the days prior to the entry of more than 70,000 people into Ceuta that foresaw the magnitude of the crisis, although there were reports of a peak in attempts to access the city by swimming. Ceuta, which has about 83,500 inhabitants, has the only land borders of the EU with Africa.
Of the tens of thousands of people who entered Ceuta illegally, 5,000 remain in the city, including 1,200 minors. Sánchez said that most will likely be returned to Morocco as they do not meet the conditions for asylum, and that in the past month there have been more than 100 deportations of people who committed crimes.
