Embattled Spanish PM insists there were no prior warnings before Ceuta crisis

What the report says

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told parliament that his government had no prior warning that could have prevented the sudden influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, rejecting opposition claims that officials knew in advance and failed to act. His remarks came as pressure intensified over how Madrid handled the episode, which the BBC reports involved about 72,000 people arriving in a short period, leaving several thousand still in Ceuta despite most being returned to Morocco.

According to the BBC, Sánchez argued it was unreasonable to suggest the authorities were aware of the situation and chose to do nothing. He also said there was no evidence that Morocco orchestrated the crossings, while acknowledging close coordination between the two countries during the response. A Spanish police report has raised concerns about the role of Moroccan security forces, though senior officials have not said it proves state involvement.

The crisis has become a major political problem for the Socialist leader. Tens of thousands of people protested in Spanish cities, and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused the government of lying and demanded Sánchez resign. The BBC said the unrest also strained Spain’s relations with some European partners and prompted Italy to tighten border measures on arrivals from Spain.

Ceuta’s status adds to the sensitivity: it is a Spanish enclave on the North African coast and one of the EU’s only land borders in Africa. Sánchez has framed the episode as both a humanitarian and administrative challenge, while also defending cooperation with Morocco and warning against rumours spreading online.