Morocco: The US's 'favorite'? Will Spain change its migrant policy?

The recent surge of tens of thousands of migrants into Spain's Ceuta enclave has sparked debate about Morocco's role, with analysts suggesting the North African nation may be leveraging migration for political pressure. Jerzy Haszczyński, a commentator, posits that such a large-scale event is unlikely without state involvement, making the hypothesis of Moroccan state engagement highly probable.

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Morocco is not a country where some influential criminal organization can just operate like that.

Spain's reaction to the crisis has been notably restrained. Jędrzej Bielecki points out that the Spanish government did not take a firm stance, not even summoning the Moroccan ambassador. Instead, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized cooperation with Morocco, a move Bielecki attributes to Spain's fear of further migration waves.

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Even the ambassador of Morocco was not summoned.

This situation signals a potential shift in Spain's migration policy. Bielecki suggests that the current events indicate an end to the previously liberal approach, forcing Spain to adopt a more defensive stance and prioritize border protection. This would mark a significant departure from its established strategy.

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This tool has always existed.

The discussion also delves into the root causes of migration, highlighting the stark economic differences between Spain and Morocco, with a national income ratio of 5 to 1. These economic disparities, coupled with long-standing European policies toward North Africa, continue to drive migration flows. The podcast also touches upon the geopolitical interests of the U.S. and Morocco, suggesting that Washington might be using the migration crisis to influence Spain.

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What is happening is a clear signal that this migration policy will turn, that Spain simply has to defend itself.