GRAPO is the acronym of the military wing of one of the Spanishcommunist parties, the PCE (r), different from the Partido Comunista de España. It was formed in 1975 with the goal of driving American forces out of Spain and overthrowing the Spanish government and replacing it with a Marxist-Leninist regime. Its name translates as "First of October Antifascist Resistance Groups".
It has a very low level of popular support, well under the thousands of supporters of Basque ETA.
Police sources have likened the inner structure of the group to that of a religious sect.
Tactics
GRAPO's activities include bank robbery, assassinations and bombings of targets such as businesses and governmental buildings. Most of these are designed to bring publicity to the organization; however, the organization is known to be lethal. Its actions have resulted in the killing of 90 people over its history.
Actions taken by law enforcement in both Spain and France have limited this group's actions and resulted in the arrest of many of both its rank and file members and leadership.
Publio Cordón, a rich businessman, was kidnapped the 27th of June 1995 by GRAPO, which asked a ransom for him. His family paid the ransom, but the fate of Cordón is uncertain. The arrested kidnappers said that he was set free, but the family has not heard about him.
GRAPO is vehemently anti-United States, seeks the removal of all US military forces from Spanish territory, and has conducted and attempted several attacks against US targets since 1977.
GRAPO did not mount a successful terrorist attack in 2003, marking the second consecutive year without an attack.
In June, seven GRAPO members—including four leaders—were sentenced to various prison terms in France.
Feeds |
Contact