On May 17, 2021, around 8,000 migrants, including many minors, swam or used makeshift rafts to cross into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, marking the largest influx in decades. The Spanish government described it as a serious crisis for the European Union's external border.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro SΓ‘nchez visited Ceuta on May 18 and announced the deployment of the military to help police manage the situation. He pledged to restore order and ensure the rapid return of migrants to Morocco, while criticizing the Moroccan authorities for not preventing the crossings.
The surge was linked to diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco, particularly over Spain's decision to host Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, for medical treatment. Morocco denied any deliberate action to loosen border controls, but the crisis highlighted the fragility of the border.
By May 19, Spanish authorities had returned over 4,000 migrants to Morocco, but hundreds remained in Ceuta, with humanitarian groups raising concerns about overcrowding and the situation of unaccompanied minors. The European Union expressed solidarity with Spain and called for a coordinated response.
