Spain reaffirms Morocco migration cooperation during Ceuta border crisis

Spain has reaffirmed the strength of Morocco migration cooperation following the recent mass crossings into Ceuta, rejecting criticism from far-right political groups that accused Rabat of failing to manage irregular migration.

Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares said Morocco had worked with Spain from the beginning of the crisis to contain the flow of migrants and facilitate their return. Speaking to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, he described Morocco as a reliable partner that acted immediately after the unprecedented surge in arrivals.

Albares said Morocco offered its cooperation from the outset by deploying security forces to help halt crossings and support the return process. According to the minister, most of those who entered Ceuta have already been returned to Morocco, while authorities continue working to complete the repatriation of the remaining migrants.

The minister said the situation developed between Thursday and Friday, when around 50,000 people reached the Spanish enclave by sea. He described the episode as unprecedented and noted that thousands of migrants were returned within 48 hours through close coordination between the two countries.

Albares also argued that social media played a significant role in triggering the crossings. He pointed to what he described as unusual online activity that amplified confusion surrounding a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court on the return of migrants arriving by sea.

According to the minister, online campaigns spread misleading claims suggesting that migrants could enter Europe without legal consequences. He also referred to coordinated messaging from reactionary political movements that sought to exploit the situation and circulate false information about the Schengen Area and Spain’s migration policies.

Morocco’s Interior Ministry released official figures on Sunday that differed from higher estimates reported by some media outlets. Authorities said approximately 40,000 people headed toward Ceuta during the recent migration attempts, while around 1,135 attempted to reach Melilla.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Rachid El Khalfi, said authorities recorded one accidental death after a fall from a rocky area near Ceuta and 10 drowning deaths. He added that Moroccan authorities remain in contact with their Spanish counterparts to verify reports concerning additional fatalities and confirm the identities and nationalities of those involved.

Spanish authorities reported recovering 72 bodies, while authorities in Ceuta estimated the death toll at 88. Officials noted that several recovered bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition, suggesting some victims may have died during earlier crossing attempts.

Morocco reiterated its commitment to continued cooperation with Spain and emphasized its internationally recognized role in combating irregular migration. Authorities said they will continue implementing measures to protect public order, strengthen border security, and ensure the safety of people and property.

The Interior Ministry also attributed the mass crossings to several combined factors, including the misuse of digital platforms, the spread of false information, the activities of human trafficking networks, and misunderstandings of recent legal and administrative developments that encouraged some migrants to believe they could reach Europe easily.