Declassified Documents Reveal Spanish Intelligence Warned of Ceuta Mass Crossing Plans Prior to July Influx

Declassified Spanish government documents reveal that intelligence services issued warnings about coordinated plans for a mass migrant crossing into Ceuta on the day before tens of thousands of individuals entered the territory, contradicting claims by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that the event was unforeseeable.

The disclosures come from over 40 security-related files recently unclassified by the Spanish administration, released amid growing criticism over the government’s transparency regarding the July crisis.

On July 29, Spain’s National Intelligence Service (CNI) informed both Moroccan and Ceuta-based authorities that online platforms were being used to mobilize migrants for a large-scale border crossing on the following day.

Despite prior assertions by Sánchez that no intelligence had indicated the scale of what was to unfold during the final days of July, opposition leaders argue the documents demonstrate deliberate withholding of critical information.

During a session in parliament, the prime minister had previously stated that there existed “no information conveying the magnitude” of the impending crisis.

An estimated 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta across July 30 and 31. According to local officials, many swam around perimeter barriers, resulting in at least 100 fatalities during the perilous journey.

While a significant portion of migrants eventually returned, authorities estimate up to 5,000 individuals remain in temporary settlements or exposed areas within the city, prompting civil unrest and community tensions. Some residents have voiced safety concerns, with incidents reported of shelter demolitions and obstruction of humanitarian assistance.

A communication from the CNI on July 29 explicitly noted the presence of WhatsApp and Facebook groups calling for an orchestrated attempt to breach the border—either through swimming or scaling the fence—with messages reaching approximately 180,000 recipients. One widely circulated post reportedly read: “Whoever wants to cross has the last chance on Throne Day [July 30]—at 8 a.m., the authorities will be distracted with celebrations and parades.”

Additionally, alerts were sent directly to the central government’s Ceuta office and units of the Civil Guard, highlighting the growing momentum behind the planned crossing.

These revelations form part of a broader release aimed at addressing mounting public scrutiny over Sánchez’s management of the situation and persistent allegations involving potential Moroccan state involvement in facilitating the crossings.

Earlier this month, a confidential police report appeared to suggest Moroccan law enforcement may have played a role in enabling the migration surge.

However, Sánchez continues to reject any suggestion of Moroccan complicity, asserting that no concrete evidence supports such claims.

Just ahead of the document publication, he reiterated on national television that the scale of arrivals was entirely unforeseen.

Opposition figures swiftly challenged this stance, using the newly surfaced materials to condemn the administration’s preparedness and response.

Ester Muñoz, representing the conservative People’s Party, accused officials of bearing direct responsibility, stating: “They had the intelligence— they are accountable for the invasion of Ceuta and for every life lost.”

Jorge Buxadé of the far-right Vox went further on social media, demanding that Sánchez and his team face prosecution on charges including treason and threats to national security.

Government representatives continue to maintain that actions were taken based on existing intelligence capabilities.

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized during a press briefing that he was unaware of any individual report predicting the full extent of the July 30 events.

A source within the government clarified that while preemptive measures were considered, the released documents “do not support anticipating the severity or timing of the crisis” with sufficient lead time to mount an effective strategy.

Miguel Ángel Pérez Trinidad, the central government’s appointed delegate in Ceuta, responded specifically to questions surrounding the intercepted communications from July 29.

He downplayed the significance of the alerts, explaining: “The WhatsApp exchanges from [July] 29 do not amount to formal warnings or reports—they represent routine sharing of situational awareness.”

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