Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain – A commemorative event was held today to honor the memory of Fernando Buesa and his bodyguard, Jorge Díez Elorza, who were murdered by the terrorist group ETA on February 22, 2000. This year marks the poignant 25th anniversary of the tragic event, which saw the pair fall victim to a car bomb explosion.
The solemn ceremony took place at the monolith dedicated to their memory, situated in the university area of Vitoria. Attendees included over a hundred individuals who came to pay their respects by laying flowers at the site. Among them were Buesa’s family, including his wife, Natividad Rodríguez, and their children Marta, Sara, and Carlos. The event gathered considerable institutional representation, with prominent members from the Partido Socialista de Euskadi (PSE-EE) present, led by Secretary General Eneko Andueza.
The act also included the attendance of government officials, such as the delegate of the Government in Euskadi, Marisol Garmendia, along with members of local councils and institutions. Notably, figures from various other political parties, including members of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and even representatives from EH Bildu, were present. Yet, the prominent absence of Vox was noted, as their sole representative decided to attend another party event instead.
During the ceremony, family members of Buesa and Díez were the first to lay red roses at the base of the monolith. This poignant moment was accompanied by the powerful melodies of 'Ausencia,' performed by the Basque singer Imanol, adding to the emotional weight of the ceremony.
Statements made during the memorial elaborated on the historical significance of the day. The gathering served not only as a tribute to those lost but also as a stark reminder of the violence inflicted by ETA, which claimed Buesa and the young ertzaina, Jorge Díez, who was just 26 years old at the time of his death.
The tension during the event escalated when Begoña Elorza, the mother of Jorge Díez, approached the representatives from EH Bildu as they waited to lay their flowers. She gestured for them to retreat from the ceremony, which led the members of EH Bildu to leave quietly without placing their floral tribute. This incident highlighted the charged atmosphere surrounding the annual remembrance, as tensions between different political factions continue to echo the historical grievances associated with ETA’s violent past.
Despite the controversies, the overwhelming sentiment shared among the attendees was one of solidarity and remembrance. Many took this moment to express their relentless commitment against terrorism, honoring the memory of Buesa and Díez as symbols of the fight against violence.
The event concluded with reflections from various political leaders on the importance of unity against terrorism, reiterative of the message from the present government officials who honored those who had fallen to violence both past and present. Imanol Pradales, the lehendakari, alongside other officials including Bakartxo Tejeria, the president of the Basque Parliament, emphasized the enduring need to reflect on the scars left by hatred and the importance of continued efforts for peace.
Those participating in this year’s memorial have ensured the legacy of Buesa and Díez lives on, not only through these commemorative actions but also as part of a continually vigilant stance against the threats of violence and terrorism. The remembrance ceremony underlined the collective resolve of society to move forward without forgetting the past's lessons.