Sánchez Clears Morocco in 70,000-Person Ceuta Breach as He Blames Russia, Israel, Gangs
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 1
Sánchez Clears Morocco in 70,000-Person Ceuta Breach as He Blames Russia, Israel, Gangs
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 1
Summary
Pedro Sánchez said no intelligence points to Moroccan government involvement in the late-July Ceuta crossing, which brought about 70,000 people into the Spanish enclave and left as many as 141 dead.
Criminal gangs drove the surge, he said, by spreading false claims online that a Spanish Supreme Court ruling meant migrants who swam into Ceuta could not be returned to Morocco.
Sánchez also accused social media accounts linked to Russia, Israel and the international far right of amplifying disinformation; Israel's foreign minister called that a "brazen lie," and the Kremlin denied any role.
At least 5,000 migrants, including 1,200 minors, still remain on Ceuta's streets, where clashes, attacks on rough sleepers and arrests have deepened the humanitarian and public-order crisis.
The dispute is feeding Spain's domestic political battle, with the conservative PP and far-right Vox accusing Sánchez of failing to protect Ceuta even as he says accommodation capacity will soon be sufficient.