As Spanish authorities investigate criminal groups, former Croatian ambassador Božo Kovačević analyzes the geopolitical games of Morocco, Israel, and Trump behind the mass influx of migrants.
The European Union is facing a new serious migrant crisis after a mass influx of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta over the weekend. In response to the extraordinary situation, the European Commission has called an urgent meeting of interior and justice ministers from member states via videoconference for today, August 4, 2026. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that security at the most sensitive border points needs to be further strengthened.
Spain has also decided to act on the legal front. According to La Repubblica, Madrid has opened an investigation into criminal groups suspected of orchestrating the migrant crisis. Meanwhile, in Morocco's capital, Rabat, a trial is underway against 25 individuals suspected of involvement in organizing illegal crossings. These activities underscore the international dimension of the problem and the need for a coordinated response.
The crisis has further deepened divisions among EU member states. After Italy suspended the Schengen Agreement, the Spanish government issued sharp criticism of Rome, stating: "The government is not up to the task; you are overwhelmed by migrants." Italian politician Antonio Tajani countered by claiming that Italy has seen a 60 percent drop in illegal migrant numbers since 2023, suggesting the situation is under control.
Former Croatian ambassador Božo Kovačević, speaking on N1 television's Novi dan program, described the events in Ceuta as an extraordinary situation, noting that more illegal migrants crossed the border in one day than in half a year across the entire European Union. "This leads us to conclude that this is organized migration of a large number of people. Buses were organized to head toward Ceuta, and the Moroccan government tacitly agreed because Morocco claims rights over that part of the territory," Kovačević stated.
Kovačević also pointed to the broader geopolitical context, linking the crisis to the interests of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Trump lied when he said that hundreds of thousands of migrants organized an invasion of Europe; he is particularly allergic to Sánchez, and Israel's interests are clear, he poses the main threat to their interests," he said. He added that Morocco has excellent relations with Israel, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is "the most outspoken in demanding punishment for Israel."
According to his hypothesis, the confluence of these circumstances and interests, along with the spread of disinformation, led to the explosive situation in Ceuta. He also noted that the right-wing opposition in Spain tried to exploit the crisis, but it was "absolved within 48 hours." Some European countries, such as Italy under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are, in his view, trying to curry favor with Trump to avoid being targets of his attacks, especially during the pre-election period with a pronounced anti-immigrant campaign.
Commenting on what the EU should do, Kovačević emphasized the importance of strengthening external borders and intensifying the work of representations in countries from which migrant waves originate. He cited Canada as a positive example, which "implements organized migration, which involves preliminary education and testing of potential immigrants." He also warned that the crisis has shown "the unpreparedness of EU countries to jointly shape European policies, as a particular way of creating national interests of individual countries dominated."
