• The Brigadier General of the Area of the Basque Country has presided in Vitoria-Gasteiz together with the Delegate of the Government in the Basque Country the commemorative act of the 181st anniversary of the Corps accompanied by judicial, civil and military authorities.
• The Chief General of the Area of the Basque Country, Don José Antonio Mingorance Sánchez, highlighted in his address the historical trajectory of the Corps, its commitment to the founding values and its key role in security, the humanitarian service provided during the DANA disaster. He also made a special mention to the veterans and recognized the work of the staff assigned in the Basque Country
• The Delegate of the Government Mrs. Marisol Garmendia praised during her speech the historical commitment of the Civil Guard to the citizenship, highlighting its historical values, the sacrifice of its members in the Basque Country and the key role of women in the process of modernization of the body

The Brigadier-General Chief of the Basque Country Area presided this morning over the commemoration of the 181st anniversary of the founding of the Civil Guard that was held at the Sansomendi Quarry in Vitoria. The event was attended by judicial, civil and military authorities.

It is worth mentioning the attendance of the Delegate of the Government in the Basque Country Doña Marisol Garmendia Beloqui, the Mayor Doña Maider Etxebarría García, the Subdelegate of the Government of Álava, Mª del Mar Dabán Aguayo, the President of the Provincial Court Don José Luis Núñez Corral, the Chief Prosecutor of the Provincial Court of Álava, Doña Carmen Cotelo López and the Defense Delegate in the Basque Country Javier Cazorla.

In his address, the General reviewed the history of the Benemérita Institution, created as it is today 181 years ago, by the Government of Spain, with the aim of covering the lack of adequate mechanisms to guarantee public order.

Since its origins, the Civil Guard has established itself as a key institution in the maintenance of order and the protection of fundamental rights, and has been guided by a strong code of values, among which honor, discipline, integrity and the spirit of service stand out.

During his address, the Chief General of the Civil Guard in the Basque Country stressed precisely that fundamental role of the Armed Institute as guarantor of the principles that have defined it since its foundation. He highlighted virtues such as honor, loyalty, sacrifice and the vocation of public service, essential pillars that continue to guide the daily action of the civil guards in any corner of Spain. He also valued the dedication and commitment of the staff assigned in the Basque Country, recognizing their work as an example of professionalism and closeness to the citizen, even in the most demanding moments of recent history.

In this context, he dedicated some special words to the figure of the veteran of the Civil Guard, whom he defined as a symbol of experience, sacrifice and fidelity to the ideals of the body.

The general stressed that the veterans embody the living memory of the Institution, and that their example constitutes a guide for the new generations. His trajectory marked by the fulfillment of duty in all kinds of destinies and circumstances represents a moral heritage that strengthens the spirit of unity and continuity of benevolent service. In his words, “the Civil Guard would not be what it is today without the legacy of those who preceded us with honor and dedication.”

In the course of his address, the Chief General of the Civil Guard in the Basque Country wanted to highlight the humanitarian dimension of the service provided by the Corps, recalling that, beyond its security functions, the Civil Guard also acts as an essential pillar in the management of emergencies and natural disasters.

As a recent example, he highlighted the intervention during the effects of Isolated Depression in High Levels (DANA), where Corps units were immediately deployed in different severely affected areas of the national territory. These operations were carried out by troops from various commanders in the country, including the Basque Country, who were integrated into the support mechanisms for the civilian population, evacuation of people, re-establishment of communication channels and collaboration with the civil protection and emergency services.

The General stressed that this coordinated and effective response demonstrates the solidarity and operational capacity of the Civil Guard, as well as its permanent vocation of service wherever it is needed, reinforcing the bond of trust with the citizens in the most critical moments.

The General ended the ceremony by thanking the veterans, their move to the retirement situation, congratulating all the decorated and wishing a happy 181st anniversary to all the Civil Guards. He also thanked the authorities present, family and friends for their company in this Act.

The Government Delegate in her address states: “Since its creation, the Civil Guard has been at the service of the citizenry, guided by values that have not changed over time: honor, dedication, the vocation of service, discipline and loyalty.”

Mrs. Marisol Garmendia continues: “181 years later, those values are still alive in every agent who patrols our streets, protects our borders, monitors our coasts, protects our mountains and our mountaineers, investigates crimes, combats organized crime and human trafficking or ensures security.”

The Delegate refers to the civil guards deployed in the Basque Country who have carried out their work in extremely harsh conditions, with the latent threat of ETA terrorism and the hatred and contempt of the Basque nationalists, over their lives and those of their families. He recalls that, “many of them, too many, unfortunately, paid with their lives for the simple fact of doing their duty.” “Today, as every year, we pay tribute to all of them, with names and surnames, with memory and justice. Memory, justice, recognition and gratitude because today we live in peace and freedom, thanks especially to them. We don’t forget them and we won’t forget them.”

The Delegate highlights: “A Civil Guard that, in this path of modernization and proximity, must also continue to advance in the principle of equality, incorporating in its ranks more women in all scales of the Corps, as you are doing especially in the Basque Country, something that I am proud of as a woman and as the first delegate of the Government of Spain in the Basque Country”.

The Delegate of the Government ends by showing her gratitude and recognition, on behalf of the Government of Spain that she represents, for the daily work of all the men and women who wear the uniform of the Civil Guard with pride, inside and outside the Basque Country. And she also thanks her families for the sacrifice that comes with sharing life with someone whose profession involves risk, mobility and for their vocation of service.

In the event, decorations were imposed in recognition of the service provided, in addition to an act of farewell of the flag by the staff who have gone into retirement status, and a special mention is made to two veterans with greater seniority.

As a closure to the Institutional event, a parade of the Civil Guard Units was held in the neighborhood of Sansomendi in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Civil Guard Foundation

The Civil Guard was created on March 28, 1844, by a Royal Decree, as a special Armed Force Corps of infantry and cavalry with the denomination of Civil Guards. The responsibility of organizing this body was entrusted to Marshal de Campo Francisco Javier Girón y Ezpeleta, II Duque de Ahumada.

The Duke of Ahumada presented on April 20 a report on the organization of the Corps that caused the immediate repeal of the first Royal Decree, which did not even come into force, and the publication of a new one on May 13, 1844.