Spain rules out Morocco role in Ceuta migrant surge

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said a rush of migrants to the enclave of Ceuta a month ago was still under investigation, while denouncing “fake information” spread by the “ultra-right”.

At least 70,000 people crossed into Spain’s North African territory from Morocco over several days in July, triggering a Europe-wide migrant alert.

Although the vast majority returned to Morocco within hours, thousands remain in the territory, many living rough on the streets.

“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,” Mr Sánchez told Cadena Ser radio.

He said it was “evident” that the two countries had used the crisis to criticise the Spanish government, as they were at odds with Madrid over its position on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Mr Sánchez was citing research by the European Union’s foreign service EEAS.

The prime minister also ruled out any responsibility on the part of the Moroccan authorities in the sudden influx of migrants.

“No intelligence service with which the Spanish government normally cooperates” had suggested “any … involvement in one way or another of the Moroccan authorities”, Mr Sánchez said.

“We must be aware that this crisis can only be resolved through cooperation and not through distrust toward Morocco,” he added, promising an additional €168 million in aid for Ceuta to respond to the crisis.

Residents of Ceuta, which is just 18 square kilometres in size and has a population of 80,000 people, have held regular demonstrations over what they say are security and hygiene problems linked to the migrant influx.

Spain’s government has said between 3,500 and 7,000 migrants remain in the territory, including unaccompanied minors. Ceuta’s leaders allege it is at least 10,000.

Mr Sánchez said that at the time of the influx, disinformation was being spread online, including by human trafficking groups, that if someone entered Ceuta by swimming, it was impossible for them to be deported to Morocco – a claim that is false.

“We are continuing to investigate” what happened, Mr Sánchez said.