The Spanish government is currently grappling with a severe political crisis following the emergence of leaked police documentation that suggests Moroccan forces may have played an active role in pushing migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Multiple media outlets, citing this law enforcement document, have alleged that Moroccan authorities assisted migrants in reaching the territory by sea and acted with passivity during the event.
The report concludes that the mass influx of approximately 80,000 migrants was not an accidental occurrence but a deliberate violation of the border.
This development has placed Spain’s Interior Ministry on the defensive, as the claims directly contradict the narrative maintained by the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has faced intense scrutiny for his handling of what is being described as the nation's most serious national security breach in modern history. In response to the growing pressure, the minister ordered police to clarify the origins and veracity of these claims.
While a senior police official later denied the existence of any report directly blaming Morocco, the statement did little to calm tensions as the Sánchez government struggles to contain the crisis, with thousands of migrants still stranded in the city to the frustration of local residents.
The political fallout has been compounded by accusations of "lawfare," a term used in Spain to describe instances where state institutions or police are perceived to be acting with partisan motives. The situation indicates that the Interior Ministry, one of the most politically sensitive departments, may have lost control of parts of its police force, with some observers suggesting that elements within the service are looking to either embarrass the government or bring new information to light.
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has leveled serious accusations against the administration, telling reporters that the government “knew it — and covered it up.” This challenge to the government's credibility comes at a critical time for Sánchez, who is facing his most significant political test ahead of the 2027 election.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Madrid has refrained from officially blaming Morocco, even after describing the events in Ceuta—where more than 150 people died at sea—as a violation of its territorial integrity. Instead, the government has pointed to human traffickers and false social media claims as the primary drivers of the influx, a position echoed by the European Commission, which continues to describe Morocco as a “trusted partner” in tackling irregular migration.
A spokesperson for the European Commission refused to comment on the leaked report, describing it as a national matter.
Operational challenges in Ceuta remain acute, with local authorities estimating that between 5,000 and 10,000 migrants, roughly half of whom are minors, remain in the city. Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas stated on Wednesday that the city is at a breaking point, directly blaming Morocco and accusing Rabat of harassment. “Morocco has had and continues to have an unwavering objective: to suffocate, harass and bring down our two cities,” Vivas said, referring to Ceuta and Melilla.
He argued that the situation is not a migration crisis but a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity, demanding that all migrants be returned to restore normality.
Spanish authorities face a complex balancing act, as strict laws protecting minors prevent immediate returns, and local authorities have yet to facilitate adequate public spaces for migrant identification. Furthermore, while Madrid has pledged that the situation will not affect the Schengen area, this commitment limits its ability to transfer migrants to mainland Spain to provide relief.
In response to these operational difficulties, Spanish authorities have requested assistance from Frontex, the European Union agency responsible for the bloc’s external borders. Meanwhile, Moroccan authorities have argued that Spain’s mass regularisation plan, announced earlier this year, may have acted as an incentive for migrants to cross.
