Morocco and Spain have agreed to return migrants who entered Ceuta during the latest surge, an informed source told Hespress on Thursday, as Madrid accused smuggling networks of exploiting a court ruling to encourage crossings.
The agreement provides for the return to Morocco of all those found to have entered the Spanish enclave illegally, the source said, including minors.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said criminal networks were taking advantage of a July Supreme Court ruling that restricted immediate returns of migrants intercepted while swimming into Ceuta.
The ministry said the networks were encouraging mostly young people to attempt the crossing.
Madrid praised Morocco’s “exemplary cooperation,” saying Moroccan security forces had prevented thousands of irregular migration attempts during the latest episode.
More than 1,500 adults and minors have reached Ceuta by sea over roughly a week, overwhelming reception facilities, according to the enclave’s president, Juan Jesus Vivas.
Grande-Marlaska has remained in contact with Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and is due to visit Ceuta on Friday to announce additional measures.
The Spanish government has denied that the surge is linked to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s recent visit to Algeria, saying relations and migration coordination with Morocco remain strong.
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