Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated that the mass influx of migrants into Ceuta can be classified as a “hybrid attack,” though he stopped short of directly accusing Morocco of orchestrating the events. According to the Spanish publication 20minutos, Sánchez told the Mañaneros program on TVE that his government does not accept “any blackmail” and is not withholding information regarding Rabat.
Previously, Sánchez had spoken of a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity but had not used the term “attack.” His updated assessment comes amid growing pressure on the government to explain Morocco’s role in the mass arrival of migrants. The National Court (Audiencia Nacional) in Spain has already launched an investigation, citing signs of organized actions by Morocco that could have caused serious harm to Spain’s territorial integrity.
Security measures and government response
Pedro Sánchez did not name Morocco as the organizer of the “hybrid attack,” but he acknowledged that the state must be better prepared for such situations. He said the government could not have foreseen the scale of the mass arrival based on the information available at the time. He identified intelligence systems as an area needing improvement, noting they must become more “sophisticated” and effective.
Sánchez also announced that the government is investing 180 million euros to strengthen control and the border perimeter in Ceuta and Melilla. At the same time, he noted the need to expand infrastructure for receiving migrants to handle potential mass arrivals in the future.
Responding to criticism regarding his absence from the public eye for much of August, Sánchez stated that he had been working “from the first minute.” He accused “far-right” organizations of constantly tracking and photographing him, while emphasizing his “right to rest.”
Sánchez also criticized a proposal by People’s Party (Partido Popular) leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo to invoke Article 8 of the Spanish Constitution to “defend” the Spanish border if information regarding a potential invasion is received. The Prime Minister called this a “military” response to a migration crisis and “true barbarism.”
In Sánchez’s view, such actions would not only worsen the situation in Ceuta but also trigger a crisis in bilateral relations with Morocco and damage Spain’s international image. He reiterated that the government “does not accept any blackmail” when asked about potential pressure from Rabat.
Could Spain have foreseen the crisis
Defending the government’s position that the scale of the events in late July could not have been predicted, Sánchez stated that 40 situation reports are published on Wednesdays. He said these reports contained warnings about a “small peak” in arrivals by sea in previous days, but they referred only to “hundreds” of people, not 70,000.
“The mass arrival of such a number of migrants was not foreseen,” Sánchez said.
Meeting with the King and future visit to Ceuta
Sánchez also sought to lower political tensions surrounding Minister of Defence Margarita Robles following her meeting with King Felipe VI and senior military leadership to discuss the situation in Ceuta. The Prime Minister called the meeting “normal” and stated that such briefings occur regularly. He acknowledged that the political timing may have led to certain interpretations but insisted it was standard practice.
Regarding a future visit by King Felipe VI to Ceuta and Melilla, Sánchez said the government and the Royal Household will announce it “jointly,” and the trip will take place in the near future. He said the citizens of Ceuta currently need the “support and care” of all state institutions. The Prime Minister emphasized that a visit by the King is “more than justified” and “necessary now more than ever,” especially for Ceuta.
Source: 20minutos
