ETA (Euskadi ta Askatasuna) is a leftist group which conducts terrorist attacks with the aim of liberating the Basque state from Spanish authorities. In Basque language, Euskadi ta Askatasuna implies the homeland and freedom of Basque. ETA is an armed nationalist and liberalist organization in Basque. The organization was founded in 1959, with the goal of promoting the traditional Basque culture. The founders were focused on the suppression of the Basque culture and language; perpetrated by Gen Francisco Franco’s administration. Later, the group evolved into a paramilitary organization, which sought to liberate the Basque state. The group initiated a series of attack against what they considered as the enemies of Basque people; killing hundreds of people.
However, the group has evolved over time, changing its structure, losing the political and social support. Since its conception, ETA has altered its internal structure on security grounds. Initially, the group hierarchical structure, with a leader delegating into three sections: military, political and logistical. Presently, the group has disintegrated these sections further into eleven substructures, with the aim of weakening the impacts of detention of its members which have increased over the recent days. Currently, the group does not enjoy a massive political or social support as it was during the reign of Gen. Franco. In fact, the people have come out publicly over the recent past, protesting against the organization’s activities.
Over the past few years, ETA has declared a series of ceasefires, with the current dating back to September 2010. Although the ceasefire is termed as “general”, “permanent” and “verifiable” by ETA leaders, it lacks a genuine staying power. The declaration is insufficient just like the previous ceasefire declarations because the leaders of the organization talk about a democratic process and ceasefire, but do nothing about permanence and laying down their weapons.