Batallón Vasco Español
The Batallón Vasco Español (BVE) (English: Spanish Basque Battalion) sometimes associated with the Alianza Anticomunista (AAA) (English: Anti-Communist Alliance), Antiterrorismo ETA (English: ETA Antiterrorism) or Triple A (English: Triple A) was a Spanish neo-fascist parapolice organization present mainly in the Basque Country and Southern France. It began operations in 1975, a year and a half after the murder of Luis Carrero Blanco by ETA and disbanded by April 1981. Some of its former members joined an organization formed not long after, known as the Grupos Antiterroristas de Liberación. The use of violence by the BVE was reported by ETA and its allies, who identified it as violence committed directly by the Spanish government against the Basque population. Manuel Fraga, former interior minister who was in office when the BVE was formed, defended it by saying it was a group of mayors who self-defended because ETA was going after them but had no influence in the course of the events.
| Spanish Basque Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Batallón Vasco Español (Spanish) | |
| Leader | Unknown |
| Dates of operation | July 1975 – April 1981 |
| Motives | Opposition to separatism, communism and democracy |
| Active regions | France (French Basque Country) Spain (Basque Country) |
| Ideology | Anti-communism Neo-fascism Spanish nationalism |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Notable attacks | Assassination of Argala |
| Status | Inactive |
| Size | Unknown |
| Allies | Alianza Apostólica Anticomunista Guerrilleros de Cristo Rey Grupos Armados Españoles Acción Nacional Española Antiterrorismo ETA |
| Opponents | Basque National Liberation Movement
Government of Spain |
| Battles and wars | Basque conflict |