ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna - Basque Country and Freedom) was a revolutionary organization fighting for the basque country's national liberation in an armed struggle. The country lies on the current border areas between northern Spain and southwestern France. The organization started its struggle in the 1950s, while both in France and Spain under Franco, minority languages and cultures were and still to this day are outlawed. In its active years, ETA killed hundreds of people. Its first known target was a secret police chief in San Sebastian in 1968, as well as Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, the head of government and Franco's chosen successor. Their last target was a French policeman shot in 2010.
In ETAs most active years they had a great base in the basque masses, who demonstrated and struggled for the national liberation from the imperialist occupiers France and Spain, and also made actions in solidarity and for the release of basque political prisoners. Eta's influence has gotten smaller and smaller in the last few years, after hundreds of their members were imprisoned and especially since their numerous ceasefires since 2010 and their permanent disarmament last year.
In 2015, ETAs last known leaders were arrested, which was a critical blow to the organization. Eta's influence has gotten smaller and smaller in the last few years, after hundreds of their members were imprisoned and especially after their numerous ceasefires since 2010 and their permanent disarmament last year. A internal dissolution vote took place and plans to dissolve fully by the summer were made. A leaked document states: “It is now time to close the era of the armed conflict (…) to offer all our strength to foment the political process” and that they've reached an “end of a cycle”. The document goes on saying “ETA will no longer exist" and "will not disavow its contributions, even though it is open to self-criticism.” Reportedly a document from ETA they made in 2017 has been leaked, saying they would end their work and struggle for national liberation. This is happening after they gave up arms in 2017. They have been reported saying their former members will continue to support the political movement of Basque nationalism that "has sufficiently demonstrated maturity and the ability to fight" for the basque national liberation.
