Ceuta – Documents Show Spanish Intelligence Warned of Crisis

The Spanish government has declassified more than 40 documents, including intelligence reports and internal communications, revealing that authorities were warned of potential mass border crossings into the North African enclave of Ceuta one day before a major migration crisis occurred in late July 2026.

According to the declassified records, the National Intelligence Center (CNI) sent an urgent memo to authorities in Ceuta on July 29, 2026, citing social media activity that suggested organized attempts to breach the border. One document noted the existence of groups with a combined total of 180,000 followers. Additionally, the National Police border division, CENIF, reported detecting internal communications among migrant groups planning mass entries for the night of July 29.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addressed the disclosures, stating that the documents do not prove the government had been warned of the scale of the crisis. He noted that the CNI alerts were directed to local authorities in Ceuta rather than the military or the Ministry of Defense. Sanchez maintained that based on the information available at the time, the magnitude of the events on July 30 and 31 could not have been foreseen by any competent body in Spain or the European Union.

On July 30 and 31, more than 72,000 individuals crossed into Spanish territory from Morocco. The incident resulted in multiple deaths, primarily due to drowning. While many of those who crossed have since been returned, thousands remain in Ceuta, including a significant number of unaccompanied minors.

In response to the situation, the European Union announced on Wednesday that it would provide Spain with 115 million euros in emergency financial aid. The funding is intended to bolster border security through the installation of thermal cameras, floating buoy systems, and underwater drones. The aid will also support the establishment of screening facilities and the return of individuals residing in Ceuta illegally.

European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen stated that the EU remains committed to combating illegal migration and facilitating the return of those who do not have legal status. The crisis has prompted a formal investigation by Madrid’s top criminal court into whether Moroccan authorities facilitated the border rush, though Prime Minister Sanchez has stated there is no solid proof of state involvement.

Article and image source: allafrica.com