'Morocco feels emboldened': Trump's influence in spotlight after Ceuta disaster as Spain grapples with influx of 70,000

Morocco's recent actions regarding the influx of migrants into Ceuta have raised questions about the influence of its relationship with the Trump administration.

As Spain dealt with the return of over 70,000 migrants, Morocco's King Mohammed VI announced a $1 billion highway project near the disputed Western Sahara territory, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics.²

Analysts like Riccardo Fabiani from the International Crisis Group suggest that while Morocco may not have orchestrated the surge, its close ties with the U.S. could have emboldened its actions. “It’s obviously impossible to demonstrate,” Fabiani noted, “but in terms of plausibility, I don’t think it’s impossible to imagine that Morocco might have done something to earn brownie points with its allies.”

The Moroccan government has been proactive in cultivating relationships with U.S. decision-makers, aiming to secure support for its autonomy plan in Western Sahara. A recent U.S. congressional report even described Ceuta as “Spanish-administered” rather than part of Spain, which could bolster Morocco's claims.

The situation reflects Rabat's willingness to employ hybrid tactics to achieve its political objectives, reminiscent of the 2021 border control loosening that allowed migrants to cross into Ceuta amid tensions with Spain over Western Sahara. “They haven’t stopped talking about Ceuta for several days in a row, which is quite striking,” said analyst Amirah-Fernández.