An essential element has now been added to the debate over Ceuta. Reuters reports that Spanish police and border-guard unions repeatedly warned the central authorities, weeks before the mass rush, about the increase in crossings and the possible consequences of the June 29 court ruling. This does not mean that there are no legitimate questions to ask about Morocco’s response. There are, and they should be asked. But it does confirm that such a complex crisis cannot simply be reduced to the convenient narrative that “Morocco opened the gates.” There was a court ruling, its circulation and distortion on social media, exploitation by smuggling networks, a prior increase in attempted crossings, warnings on the Spanish side and, ultimately, a massive breakdown. The serious question is therefore not to choose a culprit in advance. It is to establish who knew what, when they knew it, what decisions were taken — or not taken — on both sides, and why. That is how responsibility should be established: through facts, not preconceived theories. @Reuters @POLITICOEurope @guardian @lemondefr @BBCWorld @FT @TheEconomist @CNN @AJEnglish @FT