Ceuta border crisis: CNI report alleges Moroccan authorities knew of mass entry plans

Ceuta border crisis CNI intelligence report Moroccan security forces mass migration Spanish enclave

A report from the Spanish National Intelligence Centre (CNI) has been submitted to the Audiencia Nacional, alleging that Moroccan authorities were fully aware of the planned mass entry of migrants into Ceuta in late July. The intelligence document states that Moroccan officials knew of specific social media calls for the mass crossing, which coincided with Morocco’s Throne Day holiday.

The CNI report claims that while Moroccan forces showed some proactivity in intercepting swimmers in previous days, they exhibited a level of passivity during the peak of the crisis on July 30 and 31. This lack of proactive response and insufficient deployment of security forces allegedly contributed to the border overflow, which saw tens of thousands of people attempt to enter the Spanish enclave.

In the aftermath of the crisis, medical reports from the Ceuta University Hospital indicate that at least 25 Moroccan migrant women have given birth in the facility. Additionally, reports from families and observers suggest the human toll of the crossing was significant, with some estimates citing 141 deaths during the attempt.

Entities

Audiencia Nacional · Centro Nacional de Inteligencia · Centro de Estancia Temporal de Inmigrantes · Ceuta · Fernando Grande-Marlaska · Instituto Nacional de Gestión Sanitaria · María Tardón · Morocco · National Court · Spanish Intelligence Centre · Spanish National Intelligence Centre

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] An estimated 141 people died while attempting to cross the border into Ceuta on July 30 and 31, 2026. euobserver.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 15,000 people who entered Ceuta illegally on July 30 remain in the city.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 200 citizens in Ceuta held a protest to denounce the central government's lack of response to the migration crisis.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former National Security Department director Miguel Ángel Ballesteros has called for a state of exception to protect territorial integrity against Morocco.
[● 2 SOURCES] The Spanish Ministry of Interior evaluated using industrial warehouses as temporary migrant shelters two days before the July 30 surge. www.larazon.es · www.esdiario.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska maintained there was perfect coordination between the Police and the Civil Guard during the crisis. www.esdiario.com
[● 8 SOURCES] Moroccan security forces exhibited an attitude of passivity that facilitated the mass border crossing. www.larazon.es · sapo.pt · rr.pt · www.diariodealmeria.es · elfarodeceuta.es · +3 more
[● 13 SOURCES] Moroccan authorities were fully aware of the plans for the mass entry of over 70,000 people into Ceuta in late July. www.larazon.es · sapo.pt · rr.pt · www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.news20.ro · +8 more
[● 12 SOURCES] Moroccan authorities were fully aware of the plans for the mass entry of people into Ceuta. www.larazon.es · sapo.pt · rr.pt · www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.news20.ro · +7 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Interior considered using industrial warehouses in Tarajal as temporary migrant shelters two days before the mass entry. www.larazon.es
[● 6 SOURCES] Moroccan security forces exhibited a passivity that contributed to the border overflow. sapo.pt · rr.pt · www.diariodealmeria.es · elfarodeceuta.es · www.lanzadigital.com · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska described the coordination between the Guardia Civil and National Police during the crisis as perfect.