ETA probably hasn’t been as prominent this year as it might have hoped. The political mainstream and many Spaniards received the armed Basque seperatist group’s January announcement of a “permanent and general” ceasefire with suspicion and a shrug. What people wanted to hear from the Basque terrorist organisation was a clear decision to end its […]
A year on from the separatist group’s ceasefire announcement, ETA is weaker than ever and a peace process looks highly unlikely. But with the emergence of a new nationalist coalition, the Basque region is politically healthier.
The Basque group’s recent history has been plagued by logistical weakness and political errors. Few are celebrating its latest truce even though it offers real hope of peace and an end to ETA’s campaign of violence.
The Basque separatist group wants its conflict with the Spanish state to be an issue with international repercussions. But despite the efforts of a high-profile group of mediators, Spain’s political situation and ETA’s complex relationship with its political support make progress towards lasting peace extremely difficult.
The Basque terrorist group has been severely weakened by a string of arrests and sustained judicial pressure on its sympathizers and supporters. But so long as it is able to recruit new members we might not see the end of ETA for some time yet.
