Spain pays tribute to the victims of 11M on the 18th anniversary of the massacre

USPA NEWS - Eighteen years ago, on March 11, 2004, Spain woke up horrified. Several jihadist attacks against three trains traveling to Madrid caused 193 deaths and almost 2,000 injuries. Islamist terrorism focused on Spain, a country with a long history of fighting ETA terrorism – the Basque independence organization, born in times of Franco's dictatorship – but without experience in fighting Al Qaeda terrorism. This Friday, throughout Spain tributes were held in memory of the victims of 11-M, in which the United States Embassy in Madrid participated.

"Today we pay a heartfelt tribute to all the victims of the brutal attacks in Madrid in 2004. The United States will always be at Spain's side in the eradication of terrorism," said the United States ambassador to Spain, Julissa Reynoso, before the monument that remembers in Madrid the victims of terrorism. The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and the president of the regional government of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, also participated in the tribute to remember the 193 victims of the terrorist attacks in Madrid on March 11, 2004.

While the bells of the Royal Post Office Clock tolled at Puerta del Sol in Madrid - seat of the regional government - and those of churches near Puerta del Sol, Almeida and Ayuso deposited a laurel wreath next to the plaque that commemorates to the deceased. Next, the Orchestra and Choir of the Community of Madrid, under the direction of Krastin Nastev, performed the pieces 'Lacrimosa,' from Mozart's Requiem, and 'El cant dels ocells,' by Pau Casals.

The event, held in the central Puerta del Sol in Madrid, was attended by the presidents of the Victims of Terrorism Association, Maite Araluce; from the Association to Help the Victims of 11M, Dori Majali; of the Victims of Terrorism Foundation, Tomás Caballero, and the 11M Association Affected by Terrorism, Eulogio Paz, was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of Madrid, Begoña Villacís, and the Security and Emergencies delegate and municipal spokesperson, Inmaculada Sanz, together with the spokespersons of the municipal groups.

The event was also attended by all the councilors of the Madrid regional government, in addition to the president of the regional Parliament, Eugenia Carballedo, and the Government delegate in the Community of Madrid, Mercedes González. The spokespersons of the parliamentary groups of the Madrid Assembly also attended.

During the tribute, white balloons were released and a floral offering was held in memory of the 193 dead of the attacks of March 11, 2004 and their families, as well as all those who have been affected by terrorist attacks of all kinds. The regional government of Madrid has as a priority "to repair the victims financially and morally, and to promote the democratic values of coexistence and respect among the people of Madrid," remembered the Madrid regional government.