A wave of social media disinformation and human trafficking networks drew as many as 60,000 people toward the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July, leaving at least 83 dead on both sides of the border. Viral posts on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok falsely claimed the Spanish border was open, while AI-generated and digitally altered imagery further inflamed the situation.
Morocco blamed criminal organisations and online disinformation for the crisis, while Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called Morocco a reliable partner and noted the unusual social media activity. Spanish intelligence services had warned the government days before the surge but were reportedly ignored.
German lawmaker Marc Henrichmann said a hybrid attack on the EU could not be ruled out, citing possible Moroccan-Spanish tensions, smuggling rings or Russian bots. The crisis may have been compounded by diplomatic friction after Pedro Sánchez visited Algeria on 20 July, and the EU's vulnerability to the weaponisation of migration.