Newly declassified government records reveal that Spanish intelligence agencies had explicitly warned authorities about coordinated social media calls urging a mass migrant crossing into Ceuta just one day before tens of thousands of people entered the territory. These significant revelations came to light through documents released by the government amid mounting public pressure and sharp accusations that officials had concealed critical facts regarding the massive influx.
Intelligence Warnings and Social Media Coordination
On July 29, the National Intelligence Service of Spain formally notified Moroccan and Ceuta authorities that various online groups were actively encouraging migrants to breach the territory the following day. According to the declassified files, the plans involved individuals crossing both by swimming around the border barriers and by scaling the fence itself. The intelligence agency reported that approximately 180,000 people were receiving these specific digital messages. One widely circulated text explicitly stated that individuals wanting to cross had their final opportunity on Throne Day, July 30, because authorities would be heavily distracted by ongoing celebrations and parades. Furthermore, the intelligence service transmitted text message alerts regarding this online mobilization directly to the central government representation office in Ceuta as well as to the civil guard.
Political Backlash and Government Defenses
The release of more than 40 security-related documents has intensified political tensions in Spain, directly challenging previous assertions made by the administration. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously maintained before parliament that there was no information available that adequately conveyed the sheer magnitude of the crisis that unfolded on the final two days of July. However, opposition figures argued that the newly accessible paperwork directly disproves those statements. Ester Muñoz of the conservative People's Party asserted that officials possessed the necessary intelligence and bear direct responsibility for the breach and subsequent fatalities. Similarly, Jorge Buxadé of the far-right Vox party stated publicly that the files demonstrated leadership should face judicial proceedings for treason and security offenses.
Official Counterstatements and Explanations
Despite the severe political fallout, government representatives have continued to defend their official handling of the crisis. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that he was unaware of any report capable of anticipating the unprecedented scale of the events on July 30. A government source added that the published paperwork demonstrated how the available intelligence prior to the mass crossing was insufficient to gauge the ultimate proportions of the emergency or to organize a comprehensive response in advance. Additionally, Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano, the central government delegate in Ceuta, minimized the significance of the text messages sent to his office on July 29, describing them merely as a routine exchange of information rather than a formal security alert.
