The minister presided over the tribute to all the victims of ‘La Desbandá’, held at the Fort of Carchuna. At the event, in which the Secretary of State for Democratic Memory, Fernando Martínez, was present, Torres recalled that this tragic event represented “the first great mobilization of population in times of war, prior to the Second World War” and that in February 1937 the defenceless civilian population became a systematic military objective, being bombed by sea and with the support of the rebellious aviation.
Torres has also highlighted the role played by women in ‘La Desbandá’, becoming “a fundamental pillar in the safeguarding of families and protectors of the little ones. With their action and determination they managed to reach Almeria after walking more than 250 km under the bombs, dragging their loved ones, their children and their parents, on a journey full of hardship, hunger, fear and desolation.” He also acknowledged the solidarity shown by the people of Almeria welcoming thousands of refugees who had lost everything.
Ángel Víctor Torres has highlighted that ‘La Desbandá’ is one of the most terrible and painful episodes of the war in Spain and, possibly, one of the most unknown because of the silence imposed by the dictatorship. In addition, the survivors’ fear of telling what they saw and suffered, for fear of reprisals, made it invisible for a long time.