Durango Commemorates 25 Years Since ETA-Assassination of Local Councilor
Ceremony and memorials highlight the ongoing impact of ETA violence in the Basque region.
On June 4, 2025, the municipality of Durango, in the Basque Country, marked the 25th anniversary of the assassination of Jesús María Pedrosa Urquiza, a councilor from the Partido Popular (PP), who was killed by the terrorist group ETA.
Pedrosa was shot in the neck while returning home after a social gathering, making him the eighth member of his party murdered by ETA in a five-year period.
Prior to his death, he had been targeted with threats and appeared on a shooting target in local graffiti.
In a previous interview, he had stated that he did not see the necessity to have bodyguards in his hometown.
Recently, the town of Durango faced a renewed instance of violence with the emergence of graffiti reading "Gora ETA" on the façade of the town hall, a phrase commonly associated with support for the terrorist organization.
The porous nature of the sandstone building made it difficult to remove the paint, prompting local PP leaders to take swift action.
They covered the graffiti with a mural that displayed Pedrosa's obituary, serving as a symbol of memory and dignity against hatred and violence.
In tandem with this gesture, Carlos García, the sole PP councilor and a significant political figure in Durango, announced a historic agreement with the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) to install 13 plaques throughout the municipality.
These plaques will individually honor the 13 victims of ETA's violence in Durango, reinforcing a commitment to memory and respect for those who suffered from terrorism.
A memorial event brought together family, friends, and political representatives, including the president of the PP in the Basque Country, Javier De Andrés, and Raquel González, the party's regional leader in Biscay.
They gathered to remember Pedrosa and all victims of terrorism, culminating in a floral tribute at the local cemetery, reflecting a solemn commitment to honor their memories.
De Andrés characterized Pedrosa as a public servant who dedicated his life not only to his ideals but also to ensuring that society could express them freely and coexist peacefully.
He emphasized that while the threat of ETA has diminished, the pain and repercussions of terrorism remain ingrained in Basque society.
He articulated the need to maintain awareness of victims’ memories, stating it is vital to prevent such crimes from recurring and to advocate for coexistence, freedom, and understanding.
The ceremony also featured remarks from other PP leaders who called for unity against all forms of violence and radicalism.
García condemned the lingering support for ETA among some factions and affirmed that any disrespect towards victims or the memory of Jesús María Pedrosa would not be tolerated.
Pedrosa was shot in the neck while returning home after a social gathering, making him the eighth member of his party murdered by ETA in a five-year period.
Prior to his death, he had been targeted with threats and appeared on a shooting target in local graffiti.
In a previous interview, he had stated that he did not see the necessity to have bodyguards in his hometown.
Recently, the town of Durango faced a renewed instance of violence with the emergence of graffiti reading "Gora ETA" on the façade of the town hall, a phrase commonly associated with support for the terrorist organization.
The porous nature of the sandstone building made it difficult to remove the paint, prompting local PP leaders to take swift action.
They covered the graffiti with a mural that displayed Pedrosa's obituary, serving as a symbol of memory and dignity against hatred and violence.
In tandem with this gesture, Carlos García, the sole PP councilor and a significant political figure in Durango, announced a historic agreement with the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) to install 13 plaques throughout the municipality.
These plaques will individually honor the 13 victims of ETA's violence in Durango, reinforcing a commitment to memory and respect for those who suffered from terrorism.
A memorial event brought together family, friends, and political representatives, including the president of the PP in the Basque Country, Javier De Andrés, and Raquel González, the party's regional leader in Biscay.
They gathered to remember Pedrosa and all victims of terrorism, culminating in a floral tribute at the local cemetery, reflecting a solemn commitment to honor their memories.
De Andrés characterized Pedrosa as a public servant who dedicated his life not only to his ideals but also to ensuring that society could express them freely and coexist peacefully.
He emphasized that while the threat of ETA has diminished, the pain and repercussions of terrorism remain ingrained in Basque society.
He articulated the need to maintain awareness of victims’ memories, stating it is vital to prevent such crimes from recurring and to advocate for coexistence, freedom, and understanding.
The ceremony also featured remarks from other PP leaders who called for unity against all forms of violence and radicalism.
García condemned the lingering support for ETA among some factions and affirmed that any disrespect towards victims or the memory of Jesús María Pedrosa would not be tolerated.
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Translated by AI
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