The hysteria over the so-called "invasion" of Spain says far more about Europe's far right than it does about what actually happened in Ceuta. Ceuta isn't mainland Spain. It's a Spanish enclave on the North African coast, bordering Morocco, a legacy of centuries of colonialism. Yet politicians and media figures across the UK, Europe and the US seized on images from Ceuta to reinforce the familiar claim that "Europe is under invasion". The facts paint a very different picture. Many of those who crossed were fleeing conflict, poverty and instability, while others had been misled by false information circulating online about their chances of reaching Europe. The vast majority were not marching into mainland Europe, and many were either returned to Morocco or left stranded in Ceuta. Crucially, Ceuta is outside the Schengen Area, meaning entry there does not provide free movement into the rest of Europe. What happened in Ceuta was not an "invasion". It was a humanitarian crisis that was cynically exploited by politicians and commentators to manufacture fear, justify harsher border policies and demonise migrants. Language matters. Describing desperate people as an "invading force" strips them of their humanity and fuels racism and xenophobia. It also distracts from the real issues: war, inequality, displacement and the political decisions that force people to risk everything in search of safety or a better future. Don't fall for the propaganda. Look beyond the headlines.