Archidona held a tribute this Saturday to mark the 40th anniversary of the murder of Francisco Muriel Muñoz, a Guardia Civil agent killed by ETA in 1986. The ceremony included a floral offering at the cemetery and at the local Guardia Civil barracks.
On Saturday, June 28, 2026, exactly 40 years after the attack that took his life, the town of Archidona gathered to remember Francisco Muriel Muñoz, a guardia civil agent who was murdered by the terrorist group ETA. Family members, friends, former colleagues, and local authorities attended the tribute, which began at the municipal cemetery of San Antonio, where Muriel is buried.
Attendees laid wreaths and flowers on his grave in a solemn ceremony marked by silence and emotion. Later, the tribute moved to the Guardia Civil barracks in Archidona, where another floral offering took place. The event served not only to honor Muriel but also to reaffirm the town's condemnation of terrorism and its support for the victims.
Francisco Muriel was 30 years old when he died on June 28, 1986. He had joined the Guardia Civil in 1979 and recently became part of the Grupo de Acción Rápida (GAR), an elite unit specialized in anti-terrorist operations. On that fateful day, he was traveling in an official vehicle along the Meagas road in Guipúzcoa when ETA detonated an explosive device hidden near the road. The blast killed Muriel instantly and injured six other agents. Two years later, one of the wounded, José Carlos Marrero Sanabria, died from the severe injuries he sustained.
Muriel became the first member of the GAR to be killed by ETA, marking a grim milestone in the group's history. The attack highlighted the deadly threat that ETA posed to security forces during the 1980s, a period when the separatist group carried out dozens of assassinations each year. Over the decades, ETA killed more than 800 people before declaring a definitive ceasefire in 2011 and dissolving in 2018.
“We will never forget his sacrifice. He gave his life for all Spaniards, and today we honor his memory with the respect he deserves,” said a relative during the ceremony.
The mayor of Archidona, Juan Manuel Fernández, also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of remembering victims like Muriel to prevent history from repeating itself. “Today we remember a son of this land, a brave man who defended our democracy. It is our duty to keep his memory alive and to educate future generations about the consequences of fanaticism,” he said.
The tribute concluded with a minute of silence and a heartfelt applause, as participants pledged to continue honoring Muriel's legacy. For many in Archidona, this anniversary is a reminder of the pain that terrorism inflicted, but also of the strength of a community that stands united in the face of violence.
Forty years after his murder, Francisco Muriel remains a symbol of the Guardia Civil's dedication and of the enduring fight against terrorism. His name is inscribed on monuments honoring victims of ETA, and his story is taught in local schools as part of the effort to preserve historical memory.
The event also served as an opportunity to call for continued support for victims' families. Various associations have stressed the need for psychological and legal assistance for those still affected by terrorism. As the years pass, the collective memory of ETA's atrocities remains alive, and communities like Archidona ensure that the victims are never forgotten.
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