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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Spain’s Sánchez says there is no proof Morocco orchestrated Ceuta migrant surge

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain has received no solid proof that Morocco planned or carried out the mass migrant crossing into Ceuta on July 30 and 31.
  • A Spanish police report alleged that Moroccan security forces showed unusual permissiveness and made little effort to stop the surge, which involved more than 70,000 migrants.
  • Sánchez called recent Moroccan comments asserting historic and geographic rights over Ceuta and Melilla unacceptable, while Donald Trump separately criticized Spain’s handling of the affair.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says Spain has no “solid proof” that Morocco orchestrated the mass migrant crossing into Ceuta, despite a police report that accused Moroccan security forces of failing to stop it.

More than 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish territory on July 30 and 31 in an unprecedented and chaotic surge. The episode left scores dead and intensified disputes within the European Union over migration.

solid proof

· Pedro SánchezSánchez said Spain had not received conclusive evidence that Morocco planned or carried out the border surge.

Sánchez’s Socialist government has avoided directly blaming Morocco as it seeks to preserve relations with its North African neighbor. But speaking to parliament, he said no police, legal or international institution had provided Spain with solid evidence that Morocco planned or executed the incident.

unacceptable

· Pedro SánchezHe used the term to condemn Moroccan government comments about Ceuta and Melilla.

The police report, seen by AFP, described the Moroccan response as one of “total permissiveness.” It said police numbers near the border post were clearly lower than usual, that officers made no serious attempt to halt the movement and that some directed migrants toward the water. A Moroccan source close to the case denied any relaxation at the border, while the Interior Ministry blamed the surge on the malicious exploitation of social media and misleading information.

Sánchez also condemned as “unacceptable” remarks by Moroccan ministers about Ceuta and Melilla. Spain summoned Morocco’s ambassador on Aug. 21 after Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi was quoted as saying Rabat had historic and geographic rights over the two enclaves and should seek a final solution to return them to the homeland. “Ceuta and Melilla will remain Spanish until the end of time,” Sánchez told parliament.

Ceuta and Melilla will remain Spanish until the end of time.

· Pedro SánchezThe prime minister reaffirmed Spain’s claim over the two North African territories.

The dispute also drew criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said migrants entering Spain would “pour into” the rest of Europe. Trump called the situation an outrage and said it could ruin Spain’s system and damage Europe.

pour into

· Donald TrumpTrump warned that migrants entering Spain would continue into other European countries.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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