Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has blamed human smuggling networks for fueling the unprecedented wave of irregular migration into the city of Ceuta, saying criminal groups exploited misinformation to lure thousands of young Moroccans into attempting the dangerous crossing.
Speaking during a visit to the enclave on Friday, Sánchez said trafficking networks had misrepresented a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court concerning migrants arriving by sea, creating the false impression that those who reached Ceuta by swimming would be allowed to remain in Spain.
"These smuggling organizations deceive so many young people," Sánchez said, arguing that the ruling spread rapidly through trafficking networks and triggered the mass crossings witnessed over the past two days.
According to Spanish authorities, between 50,000 and 60,000 migrants entered the city from Morocco since Thursday, although around 25,000 had already returned voluntarily. The sudden influx overwhelmed local authorities, prompting Spain to deploy additional police officers and military personnel to restore order and manage the humanitarian situation.
The focus on trafficking networks was echoed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who called for tougher action against criminal organizations facilitating irregular migration.
"Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow," she said.
Morocco has consistently emphasized its commitment to legal, orderly and safe migration. Morocco's Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, said Rabat hoped that those who had entered the occupied city would return, stressing that the situation had unfolded against Morocco's wishes.
The crisis has also spread to the city of Melilla, where Moroccan security forces have confronted groups attempting to cross from the neighboring town of Beni Ansar. Spanish and European officials continue to attribute the latest migration wave largely to the activities of organized smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable migrants with false promises of reaching Europe.
