In late July 2026, a wave of unverified social media messages circulated in Morocco, urging young people to head to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. These messages, often from anonymous accounts, claimed that the border was open and that easy entry was possible. The rumors spread rapidly, leading to a significant influx of migrants into the enclave.
According to Spanish authorities, around 72,000 people entered Ceuta illegally during the crisis, an unprecedented number for the enclave. The Spanish government responded by deploying additional police and military forces to regain control of the border. The Moroccan government also took steps to curb the flow, including increasing patrols and arresting suspected smugglers.
Investigations by Spanish and Moroccan officials suggest that the rumors were deliberately spread by criminal networks involved in people smuggling, aiming to create chaos and facilitate illegal crossings. However, no specific group or individual has been officially identified as the mastermind behind the campaign.
The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's two North African enclaves, to such mass migration attempts. Both governments have called for increased cooperation to combat the spread of misinformation and to address the root causes of migration.
