Spanish Interior Minister Says No Intelligence Alert Before Massive Ceuta Migrant Surge

Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain's interior minister, asserted that his ministry received no prior notice from the National Intelligence Centre about the sudden influx of roughly 72,000 migrants into Ceuta, a figure much higher than the earlier 49,000-60,000 range cited by authorities. Speaking after an EU interior ministers' video meeting, he described the episode as an "extraordinary and exceptional" operation by criminal groups exploiting a recent Supreme Court decision that limits pushbacks at sea.

Grande-Marlaska expressed confidence in the intelligence services and said no dismissals were being considered, noting that not every incident entails liability. Opposition People's Party secretary-general Miguel Tellado demanded the resignations of both Grande-Marlaska and Defence Minister Margarita Robles, arguing the government had been forewarned and failed to act. The minister also noted that no other EU country had issued a warning, emphasizing the broader security implications for the bloc. Meanwhile, Spanish officials reported that most of the migrants have been returned, with those lacking legal status to be expelled under Spanish law.