EU migration chief claims Ceuta border crisis caused by criminal smuggling networks, disinformation

European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner has stated that the recent crisis at Spain's Ceuta border was caused by criminal smuggling networks and disinformation on social media. This claim was made during an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers discussing the surge of migrants entering Ceuta, with about 72,000 migrants crossing from Morocco in the previous week.

Brunner declined to comment on Morocco's role in the incident, but praised Morocco's cooperation with Spanish authorities on returns. The ministers called for tougher action against migrant smuggling networks, stronger returns policies, and closer cooperation with countries outside the EU to curb irregular migration. They also discussed the possibility of better intelligence-sharing, monitoring social media to detect migration surges earlier, and strengthening the EU's external borders.

The crisis has reignited debates about the EU's reliance on migration agreements with North African countries and the political implications of such partnerships.

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