Spanish premier casts doubt on claims of Moroccan orchestration in Ceuta incident

In a parliamentary address, Spain's prime minister said there is no concrete proof that Moroccan authorities planned or executed the July migrant rush into Ceuta. He noted that a police report alleged a coordinated operation, but no diplomatic or international body has supplied supporting evidence. Sanchez also acknowledged that Moroccan gendarmes did not intervene during a peak 10-hour period, but the reason remains undetermined.

The police report, reviewed by Reuters, described Moroccan security forces deployed in reduced numbers near the Tarajal breakwater, with some uniformed officers allegedly directing migrants toward the crossing point while unidentified individuals appeared to coordinate the flow. The document stopped short of naming specific officers or providing independently verified proof of orders originating from Moroccan leadership, and Moroccan officials have denied any role in enabling the crossing.

Sanchez's parliamentary remarks also touched on diplomatic symbolism, urging King Felipe VI to visit Ceuta and Melilla in the coming weeks. The last monarchial visit in 2007 triggered a crisis with Morocco, which claims both territories. Sanchez framed the proposed visit as necessary state support for Ceuta following the July events, noting two decades had passed since a head of state last visited the enclaves.