Declassified Documents Reveal Early Warnings Before Ceuta Migrant Influx

Spanish intelligence warned of Ceuta mass crossing plans before surge

Spanish intelligence services issued warnings about a planned mass migrant crossing into Ceuta the day before tens of thousands entered the territory, according to newly declassified government documents. The revelations challenge Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s prior assertions that the July 30-31 influx was unpredictable. More than 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta during those two days, with at least 100 deaths reported by Ceuta’s mayor.

On July 29, Spain's National Intelligence Service (CNI) informed Moroccan and Ceuta authorities about social media calls encouraging migrants to cross the following day. A CNI note to Moroccan intelligence identified WhatsApp and Facebook groups promoting attempts to reach the Spanish exclave by swimming or via the border fence. Approximately 180,000 people reportedly received these messages, including one that stated: "Whoever wants to cross has the last chance on Throne Day [30 July] at 8 the authorities will be distracted with the celebrations and parades." The CNI also conveyed this information to the central government's representation in Ceuta and the civil guard via text message.

Prime Minister Sánchez had previously insisted the events of July 30 were impossible to predict, telling parliament there was "no information that conveyed the magnitude" of the "crisis we were going to suffer." He reiterated before the documents' release that "the mass arrival of migrants was not expected." Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated he was "not aware of any report that might have forseen the magnitude of what happened on July 30." A government source added that the published documents "showed that the information available before the mass crossing did not make it possible to anticipate the scale that the crisis would reach or prepare with enough time the necessary response." Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano, the central government's delegate in Ceuta, minimized the CNI's messages to his office, stating: "The Whatsapps from [July] 29 do not constitute an alert or a report. It is nothing more than an exchange of information."

Opposition politicians criticized the government, asserting the documents contradict its narrative. Ester Muñoz of the conservative People's Party said, "They had the information, they are directly responsible for the invasion of Ceuta and for those who died." Jorge Buxadé of the far-right Vox party suggested on social media that Sánchez "and his band of criminals should be brought before the Supreme Court for treason and security crimes." The government declassified over 40 security documents following mounting pressure over Sánchez's crisis handling and allegations in Spain that Morocco facilitated the crossings. Sánchez has consistently denied evidence of Moroccan complicity. Approximately 5,000 migrants from the July influx remain in Ceuta, leading to unrest among local residents.

Source: Originally reported by yahoo.com.

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