Spanish PM: No evidence Morocco was behind Ceuta border surge

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told parliament on Thursday that no evidence has been found linking Morocco to the mass influx of migrants that overwhelmed the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July.

His remarks came after a police report surfaced this week concluding that the mass border crossing was not a spontaneous migration event, but rather a planned operation carried out in phases, apparently designed to overwhelm Spanish border controls.

Background on the enclave

Ceuta is one of two Spanish enclaves on the North African coast bordering Morocco, and it also forms part of the European Union's external border. Such enclaves periodically become flashpoints where migrants attempt mass crossings in hopes of reaching European territory.

The police report that emerged this week indicates that July's border breach was not chaotic or unexpected, but a coordinated, staged effort structured to create pressure that border authorities would struggle to contain.

Sanchez's position

Despite the report's conclusion that the incident was planned, Sanchez told lawmakers there is no evidence pointing to direct involvement by Moroccan state institutions or the government in organizing the operation. With this statement, the prime minister appeared to be seeking to dampen speculation about potential diplomatic tension between Spain and Morocco, an important partner for Spain on migration control issues.

The Spanish government has not yet released further details on who might have organized or coordinated the planned border crossing, if not Moroccan authorities.