Intel Reports Warned Spain Of Possible Mass Migrant Entries Into Ceuta

Declassified Spanish intelligence reports warned of possible “mass entries” by migrants into Ceuta just days before thousands crossed into the Spanish North African enclave from Morocco.

The reports, released Wednesday, appear to contradict Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s earlier claim that Spanish authorities had no information indicating the scale of the migration crisis that unfolded on July 30 and 31.

One document from CENIF, a National Police border division, issued on the eve of the crisis said migrant groups were organising “mass entries” into Ceuta on the night of July 29.

CENIF also reported that nearly 1,000 people had swum from Morocco into Ceuta between July 1 and 28, describing the development as a “drastic upward trend” compared with the previous year and a “consolidated and priority threat”.

An urgent memo from Spain’s National Intelligence Centre issued on the afternoon of July 29 also warned of calls on Facebook groups to enter Ceuta, including one group with more than 160,000 members.

Sanchez said on X on Wednesday that, based on the information available at the time, “no one could have foreseen” the scale of the migration crisis that erupted on July 30 and 31.

He also maintained that he had not received any document containing “solid evidence” that Morocco had planned or carried out the incident.

The Spanish government released the 40 documents amid growing questions over Morocco’s role in the mass crossings and whether Madrid had been adequately warned about the potential for a large-scale influx.

Doubts over Rabat’s actions intensified after a police report leaked last week pointed to the “permissiveness” of Moroccan security forces during the crisis.

A military intelligence document issued around midday on July 30 said it was “highly likely” that Moroccan authorities were not actively encouraging the migration wave but had acted “in a negligent and passive manner”.

Spain’s opposition has accused the government of failing to respond despite receiving warnings and of effectively exonerating Morocco.

“The government knew everything that was happening… They had the information. They are directly responsible for the invasion of Ceuta,” Popular Party parliamentary spokeswoman Ester Munoz told reporters.