**Title: Spanish Intelligence Warned of Potential Migrant Surge into Ceuta Prior to Mass Crossing**
**By Guy Hedgecoe, Reporting from Madrid**
Spanish intelligence services issued a warning about planned mass migrant crossings into Ceuta just one day before tens of thousands of individuals entered the territory, according to newly declassified government documents. This information has surfaced amid growing accusations that the Spanish government has not fully disclosed the circumstances surrounding the migrant influx.
On July 29, the National Intelligence Service (CNI) alerted authorities in Morocco and Ceuta about social media activity encouraging migrants to attempt to cross into the Spanish exclave the following day. The warning indicated that groups on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook were promoting the crossing, suggesting that the celebrations for Throne Day on July 30 would provide an opportunity for migrants to evade detection by authorities.
The documents revealed that approximately 180,000 people were exposed to these messages, which included a specific call to action: "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 communicated this information to the central government's representation in Ceuta and the civil guard through text messages.
Despite the warnings, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has maintained that the events of July 30 were unforeseen. He previously stated in parliament that there was "no information that conveyed the magnitude" of the impending crisis. However, the release of these documents has led opposition parties to assert that the government misled the public regarding its awareness of the situation.
On July 30 and 31, at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, with many swimming around a border fence. Tragically, reports indicate that at least 100 individuals died during the crossing. Although a significant number of migrants returned to Morocco, approximately 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the streets and beaches of Ceuta. This has resulted in unrest within the autonomous city, with local residents expressing safety concerns and some taking action to destroy shelters and obstruct aid efforts for the migrants.
The documents were released following mounting pressure on Sánchez regarding his handling of the crisis, as well as widespread allegations that Moroccan authorities may have facilitated the crossings. Earlier this month, a leaked police report suggested potential involvement of Moroccan police, although Sánchez has denied any evidence of Moroccan complicity.
In response to the revelations, opposition politicians have criticized the government. Ester Muñoz of the conservative People's Party stated, "They had the information; they are directly responsible for the invasion of Ceuta and for those who died." Jorge Buxadé from the far-right Vox party called for Sánchez and his administration to face legal consequences, claiming that the documents reveal treason and security crimes.
The Spanish government has continued to assert that its actions were based on the information available at the time. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated he was "not aware of any report that might have foreseen the magnitude of what happened on July 30." A government source emphasized that the released documents indicated that the information prior to the mass crossing did not allow for an adequate preparation or response to the crisis.
Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano, the central government's delegate in Ceuta, clarified the nature of the CNI's communication, stating that the messages from July 29 "do not constitute an alert or a report," but rather an exchange of information.
As the situation in Ceuta continues to evolve, the implications of the intelligence warnings and the government's response remain under scrutiny. The ongoing unrest and the presence of thousands of migrants in precarious conditions highlight the complexities of migration issues in the region and the challenges faced by both local authorities and the Spanish government.