Spain urges caution over Morocco’s alleged role in Ceuta migration crisis

Tuesday 08 September 2026 - 07:15

By: Azzat Manal

Spain urges caution over Morocco’s alleged role in Ceuta migration crisis

Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo has called for caution when discussing Morocco’s possible involvement in the mass migration crisis that affected Ceuta at the end of July, saying there is currently no conclusive evidence linking the Moroccan government to the large-scale arrival of migrants.

Speaking on Monday during the Los Desayunos program organized by Spain’s EFE news agency in cooperation with public broadcaster RTVE, Cuerpo stressed that Madrid should avoid drawing premature conclusions while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crisis remain ongoing.

The Spanish minister said the absence of decisive evidence does not mean that the investigations should be abandoned. Instead, he argued that the authorities must continue examining the events in order to establish responsibilities and determine how the situation developed.

The remarks come as the Spanish government faces growing political pressure over the consequences of the Ceuta crisis. Opposition parties and some voices within the governing coalition have questioned whether Morocco played a role in the sudden increase in migrant arrivals and have called for greater clarification from the authorities.

The migration episode placed considerable pressure on Ceuta, a Spanish city on the North African coast. Spanish authorities have since introduced a series of security and economic measures aimed at addressing the aftermath of the crisis and restoring normal conditions.

Cuerpo also highlighted the importance of Spain’s economic relationship with Morocco, warning that political tensions should not undermine shared commercial interests. He noted that Spanish exports to Morocco exceeded €12 billion last year, underlining the importance of the Moroccan market for Spanish businesses.

His comments reflect Madrid’s interest in preserving economic and diplomatic channels with Rabat while investigations into the Ceuta events continue. The Spanish government is also seeking greater coordination among its institutions as it addresses the security, political and economic consequences of the crisis.

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced that King Felipe VI will visit Ceuta, although no date has yet been confirmed. Cuerpo described the planned royal visit as a guarantee of Ceuta’s integration within Spain and the European Union.

The deputy prime minister said the government wanted the city to return to normal as quickly as possible and emphasized the need for measures addressing residents’ concerns, particularly regarding security and the uncertainty created by the recent migration crisis.