Leaked Report Says Moroccan Police Guided Ceuta Crossing
Spain · MIGRATION
Key Facts
- —Incident About 72,000 people entered Ceuta on July 30-31, 2026, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.
- —Document A 55-page report dated 26 August 2026 by the National Police’s CENIF unit was sent to Judge María Tardón.
- —Key claim The report says Moroccan gendarmes actively guided migrants, but it does not identify who gave the orders.
- —Official denial Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on 31 August there was no information pointing to Morocco, praising its cooperation.
- —Government rebuttal Police Director General Francisco Pardo said on 3 September no police report attributes planning to Moroccan forces.
- —Deaths At least 141 people died—78 in Spain and 63 in Morocco—with about 88 bodies recovered by 23 August.
A leaked police intelligence report says Moroccan gendarmes actively guided the July mass crossing into Ceuta. It contradicts the government’s denial of any role by Rabat.
A leaked police report says Moroccan gendarmes guided migrants in the late-July Ceuta crossing. It contradicts Spain’s public account.
The document went public on 1 September 2026 via El Español.
The 55-page report, dated 26 August, was sent to Audiencia Nacional judge María Tardón. It describes ‘prior planning’ and ‘active guiding’ but explicitly says the authors could not identify who held the top level of responsibility.
The Report’s Findings
The report, from the Centro Nacional de Inmigración y Fronteras (CENIF) of the National Police, states the crossing was not spontaneous. It describes a ‘planned process’ with ‘active guiding’ by uniformed Moroccan gendarmes who led people toward the water.
It also mentions plainclothes agents acting as ‘gestores’ and a ‘dirección estratégica’. However, the report cannot identify the top-level responsible person, so it does not blame the Moroccan government.
Official Contradiction
On 31 August, PM Sánchez said there was ‘ninguna información’ pointing to Morocco as origin. He praised its ‘instantaneous cooperation’.
The Interior Ministry said it had no knowledge of the report.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska demanded on 2 September that Police Director General Francisco Pardo clarify the document’s existence and veracity. On 3 September, Pardo publicly said there is ‘no police report whatsoever attributing the planning to Moroccan security forces’.
A Contested Document
Interior’s deputy director said the reports cannot establish any government, service, agency, or person’s involvement. Thus, the government officially contests the document’s status.
The leak to El Español on 1 September, followed by El País obtaining excerpts, triggered an internal crisis. Judge Tardón had ordered the report to remain confidential within her court.
The Deadly Crisis
Around 72,000 people entered Ceuta on 30-31 July, according to the Interior Ministry’s official figure. The initial estimate was 49,000, and a later 80,000 figure from minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska was walked back.
At least 141 people died: 78 in Spain and 63 in Morocco. By 23 August, about 88 bodies had been recovered, with only nine identified.
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Sánchez appeared before Congress on 3 September 2026. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused the government of covering up Morocco’s role and demanded the Moroccan ambassador be summoned.
Vox called the event an invasion, while Sumar, Podemos, ERC, Junts, Bildu and PNV criticized the government’s deference to Rabat. Protests have taken place in Madrid.
The Trigger in Official Accounts
Both sides’ official accounts say the trigger was the 8 July 2026 Supreme Court ruling. It barred summary returns for people intercepted at sea and was widely shared online before the surge.
Spanish intelligence’s earlier assessment, per El País, was that Morocco ‘permitted, exploited and facilitated but did not plan’ the entry. The CENIF report departs by describing active guiding.
Morocco’s Position
Morocco denies deliberately relaxing controls, blaming trafficking networks, rumours and the Supreme Court ruling. It says it warned Spain in advance of the potential for mass movements.
The Spanish government has avoided accusing Rabat of planning, focusing on cooperation to return migrants. Relations have been tense since the 2021 Ceuta incident, when about 8,000 people entered after Spain hospitalized Polisario leader Brahim Ghali.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the leaked police report say about the Ceuta incident?
The report says Moroccan gendarmes guided migrants during the mass crossing. It does not identify who gave orders or blame the Moroccan government.
When did the events happen?
The mass crossing occurred on 30-31 July 2026, when about 72,000 people entered Ceuta from Morocco.
How did the report become public?
El Español published details on 1 September 2026, and El País later obtained and published excerpts. Judge Tardón had ordered the report to stay confidential.
How did Spain’s government react to the leak?
Interior Minister Marlaska demanded police explain the document, and Police Director General Pardo said no police report attributes planning to Moroccan forces.
What were the consequences of the incident?
At least 141 people died, and the opposition called for snap elections, accusing the government of covering up Morocco’s role.
Connected Coverage
Sources: El País; RTVE; El Español; Politico EU; Interior Ministry statements; Audiencia Nacional documents.
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