Migrant surge into Ceuta fueled by 'human trafficking mafia' exploiting court ruling, Spain says

The Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located on the northern coast of Africa, has seen an unprecedented influx of migrants in recent days. Thousands, including many minors, have crossed the border from Morocco, overwhelming local resources and prompting a significant Spanish security response.

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From our conversations with the Moroccan authorities, it has become clear that the human trafficking mafia has interpreted the Supreme Court's decision in a way that benefits them. This interpretation has spread like wildfire in recent hours.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that approximately 49,000 people entered the exclave in a single day, with 18 migrants reportedly dying during the crossing. This surge follows an earlier arrival of over 1,500 migrants in just a few days. The scale of the influx is the largest since 2021, when over 10,000 people stormed the border.

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The images from Ceuta are unacceptable.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attributed the surge to human trafficking mafias. He explained that these criminal organizations interpreted a recent Spanish Supreme Court decision, which ruled that expedited return procedures do not apply to migrants arriving by sea, in their favor. Sánchez stated that this interpretation spread rapidly, leading to the current crisis.

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We cannot allow anyone to enter our (European) Union without following our rules.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the scenes in Ceuta as "unacceptable." She emphasized that no one should be allowed to enter the European Union without adhering to its rules. Von der Leyen called for an immediate halt to dangerous border crossings, the dismantling of smuggling networks, and swift returns of migrants in accordance with EU regulations.

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Dangerous border crossings must be stopped immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns (of migrants) must happen quickly, as our rules allow.