US military bases in Spain: a gift from Franco accepted by the transition parties
It's time to break with NATO and shout "US go home"
By Gérard Florenson
At the end of World War II, The Franco dictatorship was internationally isolated, and the Caudillo feared suffering the same fate as Hitler and Mussolini. He owed his salvation to “Cold war”, which allowed him to present himself as a bulwark against communism. The recognition of the regime by the United States gave it respectability and allowed the Spanish State, mired in economic stagnation and unable to feed its population, receive financial aid, including food aid, as well as loans. But, Of course, there was a price to pay. The geographical location of the country was of great interest to the US government, since it allowed control of the Strait of Gibraltar and could facilitate interventions in the Maghreb and the Middle East. The agreement was closed in September 1953 with the Madrid Pacts, by which Franco gave the United States the use of four military bases: Torrejón de Ardoz, Zaragoza, Morón and the base of Rota (only these last two remain, near Seville and Cádiz, respectively, and therefore Gibraltar). Among other concessions, The United States committed to equipping and modernizing the armed forces of the dictatorship, responsible for the massacres of the Civil War.
Franco's successors respected the Madrid Pacts
After the death of the dictator and the beginning of the "Democratic Transition", The US government wanted to guarantee the continuity of its military presence on Spanish soil. Juan Carlos, who owed his crown to Franco, as well as the Suárez government, quickly calmed them down. It is worth highlighting the role of Felipe González, PSOE leader (Spanish Socialist Worker's Party), in the full integration of Spain into NATO. It was achieved in stages, after securing the government “socialist” the narrow victory of YES (The NO was the majority in Catalonia, the Basque country, Navarre and the Canary Islands) in the consultative referendum of the 12 March 1986, through commitments that were quickly forgotten, such as non-integration into the military structure and rejection of the presence of nuclear weapons on Spanish soil (1). Javier Solana, minister “socialist” in the governments of Felipe González, was appointed Secretary General (socialist?) of NATO in 1995.
Sánchez against the aircraft carriers of US imperialism in the Mediterranean?
And those based in Andalusia are no exception. Under the guise of NATO, have been used for docking, maintenance and replenishment, but also to launch lethal weapons during various conflicts. Pedro Sánchez's decision, by prohibiting Trump from using bases for his war against Iran, it is certainly late, but the posture is genuine. What are your reasons? Sánchez has not suddenly become anti-imperialist, but he wants to ensure the survival of his government. A break with the reformist left cannot be allowed, your only support. further, has been able to gauge the strength of the mobilizations in defense of Palestine against the genocide perpetrated by the Zionist government supported by Trump, the same government that attacks Iran. And since Trump openly supports far-right parties in Europe, Sánchez sees an opportunity to unmask the leaders of the PP and Vox, completely aligned with US imperialism, presenting himself as a defender of the independence of the Spanish nation.
Making an authentic anti-imperialist voice heard
Trump's tirades and threats may initially strengthen Sánchez's determination, but although the reactions of the PP and VOX may leave you indifferent or even please you, The same cannot be said of those who belong to the “business community”, the capitalists who don't want to bother Big Brother, who buys wine and olive oil, especially because other European governments do not adopt the same position. And the PSOE is always attentive to the interests of the employers. When we title “OF. UU., go home!”, we are certainly not defending “our” imperialism nor its European counterparts. We adopt this motto, this demand of the struggles that, especially in Southeast Asia and Latin America, has meant the rejection of imperialist interference in people's lives. But we must take this opportunity to demonstrate our willingness to break with US imperialism and NATO., its creation, to reject the increase in military spending and, Of course, to get rid of the American aircraft carriers that target the.
(1) In 1966, due to the collision between two American planes, one of which was a B-52 bomber, four thermonuclear bombs fell into the sea in Palomares, near Almeria, and two of them released radioactive material. This, logically, led to the rejection of nuclear weapons, but in 1988 Aznar's government decided to antagonize the US even more. THE.
