Spanish intelligence warned of Ceuta mass crossing plans before surge
Declassified documents show Spanish and Moroccan authorities were alerted to social media calls for a mass migrant crossing the day before tens of thousands entered Ceuta.
Spanish intelligence agencies had cautioned Moroccan and Ceuta authorities about social media groups urging migrants to cross into Ceuta on July 30, just a day before the mass influx occurred, according to recently declassified government documents. The Spanish National Intelligence Service (CNI) informed its Moroccan counterpart and Ceuta officials on July 29 that a significant number of migrants were being encouraged to cross the border via swimming or the border fence.
At least 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta on July 30 and 31, with over 100 losing their lives during the crossings. Despite Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's insistence that the events could not have been predicted, opposition parties argue the documents reveal a government cover-up. Opposition politicians like Ester Muñoz and Jorge Buxadé of the conservative People's Party and far-right Vox have called for Sánchez to be held accountable for the crisis and alleged deaths.
The documents show that the available information at the time was not sufficient to anticipate the scale of the crisis and prepare an adequate response.
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