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PoliticsSpain's PM Sánchez accuses disinformation and far-right of fueling Ceuta migration crisis
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On August 31, 2026, Die Welt reported that Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused social networks with 'connections to Russia and Israel' and an 'international far-right movement' of amplifying false reports that fueled a mass migration influx into the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta. The crisis began on July 30-31, when approximately 72,000 migrants swam from Morocco to Ceuta or climbed border fences, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Most were returned within hours, but around 5,000 remained, including 1,200 minors, leading to violent local protests. Sánchez stated that a July 8 Supreme Court ruling was twisted via social networks, falsely claiming that migrants reaching Ceuta by swimming could not be deported. He emphasized that Morocco cooperated 'immediately' with Spanish authorities. The article highlights the political pressure on Sánchez's government and the role of disinformation in exacerbating the migration crisis.
Source report
Demonstrators have set fire to a migrant camp in the Spanish North African exclave and demanded the immediate return of the people to Morocco.
Following the mass influx into Ceuta, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has made serious accusations, claiming that disinformation and an international far-right movement have further fueled the migration crisis.
Sánchez Blames Social Networks and Far-Right
Spain's left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused social networks with "connections to Russia and Israel" of amplifying false reports after the mass influx into the North African exclave of Ceuta at the end of July. He also blamed an "international far-right movement" in an interview with the Spanish broadcaster Ser, which he said "always uses the migration issue to attack and divide not only Spain but also Europe." Sánchez did not initially provide details on the allegations he raised.
"No One Predicted This Avalanche"
At the same time, he stated: "No one predicted we would experience an avalanche of this magnitude."
On July 30 and 31, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, approximately 72,000 migrants swam from Morocco to Ceuta or climbed over border fences.
- Most returned within hours.
- However, according to the minister on Friday, around 5,000 migrants were still in the area, which is not even as large as Frankfurt Airport.
- Of these, 1,200 were minors, Sánchez said.
Some locals are demonstrating – sometimes violently – against the weeks-long presence of so many migrants. The Sánchez government is therefore under strong pressure.
Disinformation and Court Ruling
In the "Ser" interview, Sánchez emphasized that the Spanish government can only act based on data and verified facts.
"What we know so far is that a ruling by the Supreme Court on July 8 was twisted, which was spread through social networks via false reports, disinformation, and also by criminal organizations that traffic in people," Sánchez stressed.
These false reports claimed that the court had decided that anyone reaching Ceuta by swimming could not be deported. That is not true.
Morocco's Cooperation
Morocco, on the other hand, had cooperated "immediately" and comprehensively with the Spanish authorities during the crisis.
dpa/nw
Source
Nachrichten - WELTWestern
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Spain’s PM Sánchez accuses Russia and Israel of fueling Ceuta migrant crisis with disinformation