Appearing this Monday, August 31, 2026, on Hoy por Hoy, the Cadena SER program hosted by Aymar Bretos, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered a detailed assessment of the recent migration events that took place in Ceuta on July 30 and 31. Faced with speculation and accusations targeting Morocco, the Spanish leader categorically rejected any involvement by the Moroccan authorities, reaffirming the strength of the security and diplomatic partnership between the two countries.
Asked about the possibility of “passivity” or “manipulation” on Rabat’s part in the face of the massive influx at the border, Pedro Sánchez was categorical. Citing intelligence data, he ruled out any involvement by the Moroccan state in triggering the crisis.
To set out the facts, Sánchez detailed the sequence of events and highlighted the immediate response of Moroccan security forces on the ground. “My experience of the previous crisis in Ceuta was one of instantaneous, immediate coordination and cooperation on the part of the Moroccan authorities. They were in permanent contact on July 30 and 31. On July 31, we began to see an operational deployment by the Moroccan authorities precisely in the Fnideq area to deal with the avalanche of people attempting to enter the autonomous city of Ceuta irregularly.”
The Spanish prime minister emphasized the absence of any grounds for suspicion involving Rabat. “There is no information from the state security forces and corps, nor from the National Intelligence Center [CNI], nor from any intelligence service with which the Spanish government routinely works, that would cast doubt on the involvement, in one way or another, of the Moroccan authorities,” he said.
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The Spanish prime minister described the accusations against Morocco as “serious, dangerous and baseless.” According to him, the migration surge was caused by the spread of false information distorting a Spanish Supreme Court ruling, relayed by human-trafficking networks and amplified on social media by extremist actors and through foreign interference.
“Frankly Positive” Bilateral Cooperation
Beyond the management of the immediate crisis, Pedro Sánchez sought to place the relationship with Rabat within a broader strategic framework. Faced with criticism suggesting an overly accommodating stance toward Spain’s southern neighbor, he defended a diplomacy based on mutual trust. Sánchez underscored the effectiveness of joint mechanisms by comparing them with other European migration routes.
On the strength of the partnership, Sánchez stressed that the relationship encompasses many areas, not migration alone. “Although migration is important, there is also the economy, culture, social affairs, as well as security in the fight against terrorism. And I must tell you that when it comes to migration, cooperation with Morocco is frankly positive,” he said. “If we look at the number of irregular entries via the Western Mediterranean route, which is ours, compared with the Central Mediterranean route, such as Italy’s, the central route records twice as many irregular entries as ours,” he emphasized.
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For Sánchez, what is needed today is greater mutual trust. “We must be aware that this crisis can only be resolved through cooperation, not through mistrust toward Morocco, which would only further aggravate an already complex situation in Sebta,” the Spanish prime minister said.
Voluntary Returns
On the operational front, Pedro Sánchez welcomed the progress achieved through the diplomatic and security channels maintained with Morocco. According to Sánchez, of the roughly 70,000 people who crossed the border during the days of the crisis, nine out of ten have already returned to Morocco. “Since August 10, 3,222 people have returned voluntarily. These returns are continuing and, fortunately, there are no significant migrant entries across this border,” the Spanish leader added.
Regarding unaccompanied minors, Sánchez sought to offer some reassurance, although without providing much detail. “We will therefore be able to proceed with the return of these minors whenever the law provides for it and a request has been made by their parents.”
One thing is certain for Pedro Sánchez: managing the migration challenge on Europe’s southern borders is inseparable from a close and respectful partnership with Morocco. By publicly dismissing the theory of Moroccan responsibility, the Spanish prime minister seals the primacy of joint action in the face of attempts at destabilization. And there are many.
