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Social Media Call for Mass Crossing to Ceuta Raises Tensions in Spain
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Social Media Call for Mass Crossing to Ceuta Raises Tensions in Spain

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Spanish authorities are investigating a social media campaign calling for a mass crossing into Ceuta from Morocco.
  • The campaign, using messages like "See you on the 15th," has gained traction on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
  • Spain's Foreign Minister urged caution against false information, stating irregular entry does not guarantee residency.

Spanish authorities are on alert following a social media campaign that is reportedly inciting a mass migration attempt into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. This comes just a week after a severe migratory crisis saw over 70,000 people cross from Morocco to Ceuta, resulting in 141 deaths.

See you on the 15th.

— Social media userA common message in the social media campaign inciting a mass crossing into Ceuta.

The new call to action, circulating widely on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, uses phrases like "See you on the 15th" and "I'm going up from Marrakech to the north to live that day." Some groups reportedly have over 400,000 members, with organizers stating their goal is to enter Ceuta on August 15th. Potential meeting points for the crossing include Fnideq, a Moroccan city adjacent to Ceuta.

I'm going up from Marrakech to the north to live that day.

— Social media userAnother message indicating planned participation in the crossing attempt.

In response, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares issued a warning on social media: "Don't be fooled by false information. Entering Ceuta or Melilla irregularly does not allow you to stay in Spain or reach the European continent." Spanish authorities are investigating whether the campaign is a disinformation effort or if there is a genuine risk of a new mass migration.

Don't be fooled by false information. Entering Ceuta or Melilla irregularly does not allow you to stay in Spain or reach the European continent.

— José Manuel AlbaresSpain's Foreign Minister warning against the social media campaign and irregular migration.

The situation has also been discussed at the European Commission. Guillaume Mercier, a spokesperson, stated that attention is focused on August 15th, the date mentioned in the social media posts. Arianna Podesta, another spokesperson, noted that many circulating reports are unverified, leaving the situation unclear. The president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, expressed deep concern, describing the campaign as "clear proof" that the city "lives in anguish" and that its "integrity is at stake."

We maintain full attention before, during, and after August 15, because this is the date that has been mentioned on social media as a possible new attempt to cross the border.

— Guillaume MercierA spokesperson for the European Commission on the monitoring of the situation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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