Re:Marines mobilized in response to LA protests
by anthk on Tuesday June 10, 2025 @08:02AM
(#44235737)
The Guardia Civil itself predates Franco, and to be fair some GC agents fought for the Republican side in the war.
Re:Marines mobilized in response to LA protests
by the_gipsy on Tuesday June 10, 2025 @08:41AM
(#44236115)
True. But AFAIK they were a crucial element of the regime's oppression, especially in rural areas.
Their logo even today still contains a fasces[1] shield, which as been added during the Franco regime.
The spanish Guardia Civil is a very good example of a police force tied too deeply with the military. In 1981 some parts of the force attempted an actual coup, with one guy entering the parliament and shooting in the air (or ceiling).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_Spanish_coup_attempt
The continuity of the Guardia Civil after Franco's dictatorship is one of many vestiges that has not been removed due to fears of creating an instability leading to some coup and a reversal to fascism. IMHO this may have been justified the years immediately after Franco's death, but should have been addressed at some point. See the 1981 coup as for why "appeasing" the oppressors usually doesn't work out, or even works out for the oppressors.