The right’s exploitation of the Ceuta migrant ‘crisis’ almost guarantees that it will happen again | Ruben Andersson

What Happened

Thousands of mainly Moroccan citizens streamed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in a mass border crossing facilitated or tolerated by Moroccan authorities. Spanish intelligence indicated that Moroccan law enforcement stopped controlling the border, its intelligence services failed to notify Spain of online campaigns encouraging the crossings, and videos suggest authorities actively encouraged people to cross. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez blamed people smugglers and misinformation about a recent court ruling, while Morocco’s government officially attributed the surge to criminal organisations. The incident left more than 70 dead and prompted scathing reactions from European far-right parties and governments—including Vox, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Denmark, and Finland—with 22 EU leaders criticising Spain’s migration control. Both Madrid and Brussels publicly praised Morocco despite the manifest instrumentalisation of migration, reflecting Europe’s dependency on the repressive regime for border management.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The Ceuta surge exposes how the EU’s externalisation of border control to undemocratic regimes creates strategic vulnerability. Morocco’s proven ability to stage migration crises as geopolitical leverage—enabled by US and Israeli support for its territorial ambitions—deepens European divisions and incentivises further coercive tactics. Spain’s dependence on Rabat forces it to suppress criticism, while EU leaders’ blame-shifting undermines collective security by signalling that migration pressure can fracture the bloc.

Watch For

Potential for renewed mass crossings if tensions resurface over Western Sahara or Spain–Algeria relations. Monitor upcoming EU–Morocco diplomatic engagements and any formal reactions from the European Commission to calls for Spain’s Schengen suspension. Watch statements from the Trump administration and US Congress regarding Moroccan sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, as they could embolden further destabilisation.