Triple A (Spain) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anti-Communist Apostolic Alliance |
|
|---|---|
| Alianza Apostólica Anticomunista (Spanish) | |
| Leader(s) | Unknown |
| Dates of operation | c. 1976 – c. 1983 |
| Motives | Opposition to separatism, communism, secularism and democracy |
| Active regions |  Spain (Basque Country, Catalonia) France (French Basque Country) |
| Ideology | Spanish nationalism National Catholicism Catholic fundamentalism Anti-Catalanism |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Notable attacks | El Papus bombing Ametzola bombing |
| Status | Inactive |
| Size | Unknown |
| Allies | Batallón Vasco Español Guerrilleros de Cristo Rey Grupos Armados Españoles Acción Nacional Española Antiterrorismo ETA |
| Opponents | Basque National Liberation Movement
Government of Spain |
The Alianza Apostólica Anticomunista, also known as the Triple A, was a secret group in Spain. Its name means "Anti-Communist Apostolic Alliance" in English. This group was active from about 1976 to 1983. It was a paramilitary organization, meaning it acted like a military group but was not part of the official army.
The Triple A was a far-right group. This means they held very traditional and nationalist political views. They were against ideas like separatism (groups wanting to break away from Spain), communism, secularism (keeping government separate from religion), and democracy.
The group was mainly active in the Basque Country in Spain. They also operated in the French Basque Country and the city of Barcelona. A report from 2010 by the Basque Government stated that the Triple A was responsible for eight murders and caused the deaths of 66 people. This report also suggested the group had links to official police and intelligence agencies in Spain.
One of their most known attacks was on the satirical magazine El Papus in Barcelona. This attack killed one person and injured 17 others.
Contents
Major Attacks by the Triple A
The Anti-Communist Apostolic Alliance claimed responsibility for many attacks. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Attacks in 1976-1977
- July 27, 1976: The group claimed they kidnapped ETA political-military leader Pertur. Another group later said they were responsible for his kidnapping and murder.
- December 16, 1976: They threatened Catalan singer Lluis Llach and attacked one of his concerts with machine guns.
- January 25, 1977: The Triple A claimed responsibility for the Atocha massacre (which was later found to be false). They also bombed a place called Pub Santa Bárbara.
- February 7, 1977: A bomb exploded at the Sala Villaroel theater in Barcelona during a play. The theater owner was hurt.
- February 17, 1977: The Triple A sent threats to journalists and Basque activists.
- September 20, 1977: A bomb exploded at the office of the satirical magazine El Papus in Barcelona. One person, Juan Peñalver Sandoval, was killed, and 17 people were injured. The group also threatened other magazines.
- October 6, 1977: A bomb destroyed the offices of the magazine Punto y Hora de Euskal Herria in Pamplona.
- October 7, 1977: Taxi driver David Salvador Bernardo was murdered in Andoain. The Triple A said they did it, accusing him of helping ETA.
Attacks in 1978-1979
- July 1, 1978: A bomb partly destroyed a building in Madrid, killing one person.
- July 2, 1978: Rosario Arregui Letamendi, whose husband was a former ETA leader, was murdered in France. The Triple A claimed responsibility.
- September 13, 1978: The offices of the PSOE in Avilés were attacked with guns.
- May 6, 1979: José Ramón Ansa Echevarria, a 17-year-old, was kidnapped and murdered in Andoain. The Triple A claimed responsibility, saying he was an ETA member, which his family denied.
- May 11, 1979: A bomb destroyed the building of the Socialist Party of Andalusia in Seville.
- June 12, 1979: A bomb destroyed the building of the UCD in Granada.
Attacks in 1980-1983
- July 23, 1980: A bomb exploded in the Ametzola neighborhood of Bilbao. Two people from the Roma community, Maria Contreras Gabarra (17 and pregnant) and her 12-year-old brother Antonio Contreras Gabarra, died. Another person, Anastasio Leal Terradillos, was also fatally injured.
- August 27, 1980: Jesús Maria Etxebeste was murdered in Irun.
- January 2, 1982: Pablo Garayalde was murdered in Leitza.
- February 5, 1983: There was a grenade attack on the US Embassy in Madrid.
- February 11, 1983: The group attacked and threatened left-wing students at the University of Barcelona.
The Triple A stopped its activities around 1983.
See also
In Spanish: Triple A (España) para niños
