Morocco uses migration as a strategic tool to exert political pressure on Spain and Europe, exploiting border control for diplomatic gains.
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The article details the long-standing and complex relationship between Spain and Morocco, focusing heavily on how migration has been weaponized as a tool of political leverage by Morocco. Major migratory crises, such as those in Ceuta (July 2026 and May 2021) and Melilla (2022), have repeatedly shown that Moroccan border control is used to exert pressure on Spain and Europe regarding issues like the Western Sahara or bilateral disputes.
The text traces this pattern back decades, noting that Morocco has historically used migration flows—fueled by economic factors and internal tensions—to manage domestic stability and gain external negotiating power. Spain’s response has often involved increasing cooperation and funding for border control, effectively outsourcing its frontier management to Moroccan authorities. This creates an asymmetrical relationship where the border becomes a commodity of exchange.
The article argues that this model of “border externalization” allows Morocco to exert political pressure without explicit threats. While acknowledging that migration is influenced by various factors, it emphasizes that Morocco’s capacity to control and modulate these flows remains its most potent tool against Spain and Europe. This dynamic has established a pattern where cooperation can be granted or withdrawn based on Moroccan strategic interests.
