The other day, the Spanish government transferred the commander of the ground forces, Lieutenant General José Mena Aguado, to the reserve ahead of schedule. He violated the ban on army interference in politics. On January 6, the general announced the possibility of armed defense of the territorial integrity of Spain if parliament grants the autonomous region of Catalonia broader rights. The next day, the general was removed from office and placed under house arrest. In March, Jose Mena Aguado had to leave his post due to age. Fifty retired officers supported the general, saying his words were “a sincere reflection of the opinions, concerns and feelings” of many in the military.
After the end of the Franco dictatorship, Catalonia's autonomy was restored in 1978. The Spanish Parliament is currently considering a plan to expand the rights of the region, primarily in the tax and judicial spheres. If approved, industrialized Catalonia will receive the status of a separate “nation”, and the Catalan language will become mandatory for everyone living in the region. General Mena Aguado was indignant that in this case his soldiers in Catalonia would feel like they were abroad.
