Police and civil guards demand the resignation of Marlaska after previous warnings about the assault on the Ceuta border

Spanish police used warning shots to prevent migrants from reaching Loma Colmenar in Ceuta, according to reports. The intervention occurred amid heightened tensions at the border with Morocco, where large numbers of migrants attempted to cross into Spain. The incident has sparked controversy over whether authorities had prior knowledge of the situation and failed to act accordingly. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior, led by Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has raised concerns about the timing and handling of information related to the mass migration. Marlaska wrote to the head of the National Police, Francisco Pardo, asking whether the police had known about the potential for a large influx of migrants before it happened. He emphasized the need for transparency regarding the information contained in a report submitted to the National Court by the National Center for Immigration and Borders (CENIF). This report allegedly linked Moroccan security forces to the coordinated movement of migrants into Ceuta during July 30 and 31. Marlaska's letter highlighted the importance of informing relevant government bodies immediately upon receiving such critical intelligence, especially under the provisions of the National Security Law. However, Pardo responded that the judge overseeing the case, María Tardón, had ordered investigators not to share the contents of the report with their superiors. It was only after Tardón authorized access to the document that the police could provide details to the ministry. The report itself, described as confidential, forms part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Once submitted to the court, its custody falls under the jurisdiction of legal representatives within the court system. Meanwhile, political groups have criticized the government’s response, arguing that officials should have taken more decisive action based on earlier warnings. The major union representing the National Police, JUPOL, has demanded the resignation of Marlaska and Pardo, citing internal communications that warned of the possibility of a migrant invasion. The union claims that despite these warnings, necessary precautions were not taken to ensure the safety of both police officers and residents of Ceuta. They further allege that Moroccan involvement in orchestrating the migrant movements has been confirmed through the CENIF report, which points to Moroccan gendarmerie guiding the flow of migrants under the direction of civilian agents. JUPOL also pointed out that Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, emphasizing the need for a firm national policy to secure these territories. Additionally, the union noted that Pardo maintains close ties with Moroccan authorities, including spending his summer vacation there in 2025. Similarly, JUCIL, the professional association of the National Guard, called for immediate resignations at the highest levels of government, stating that the CENIF report demonstrated that authorities had prior written knowledge of the extreme risk posed by coordinated attempts to breach the border. Both organizations condemned the government’s lack of action as unacceptable negligence in managing national security.