One-year government exam (III). Sánchez, or power as a tool to gain more power
Defense.'Operación Balmis': this was the largest military deployment in Spain of democracy
Taking a look in the rear-view mirror at the first months of the legislature in the field of the
Ministry of Defense
is to see an unprecedented deployment, one of those that is dizzying due to its speed and efficiency.
As in all areas, the pandemic has also marked the actions of the
Armed Forces
.
In different phases, on different dates, more than 180,000 uniformed men participated in this armoring device, fighting against the greatest invisible enemy known to the faith
cha.
As the Defense Minister herself recalls in statements to this newspaper,
Balmis
It is "the largest peace operation we have ever carried out." Because the military - which acted throughout the national territory despite the obstacles of the nationalists - launched a military deployment unprecedented in the history of
Spain
in times of peace.
Armies became essential.
Their work prevented the number of infections from multiplying exponentially.
They used all the means.
They trained the rest of the troops.
His work in nursing homes, hospitals, strategic centers ... was and is essential.
Because these tasks that began in
Balmis
continue.
After the first impact, the military studied their campaign to improve it.
"Always with the best of spirits to help all of society, without exceptions," says the minister. For 98 days, the elapsed since it was activated on March 15, following the declaration of the state of alarm, until the June 20, when the sixth and last extension ended, 20,002 interventions were carried out to deal with the coronavirus in 2,302 populations.
In the worst days of the crisis, an average of 8,000 soldiers intervened. It is important not to forget the key role of the Armed Forces in logistics development, for the collection and transfer not only of patients but also in the arrival of essential material in Spain. to be able to face the pandemic: masks, PPE, respirators, machinery for the manufacture of essential material ... But almost, no continuity time at the end of
Balmis
started the second phase, the
Operation Baluarte
.
They focused on two fronts: trackers and disinfection.
The first front has been key.
Margaret Robles
explains that during these months of Baluarte the military have located more than 700,000 tracked.
“I have been several times to visit the trackers.
In one, accompanied by the president
Sanchez
, in another by the minister
Illa
and others alone and without warning.
And every time we find the military answering the phones.
And what impressed and pleased me the most was that at no time did they stop doing what they had to do because the authorities were in front of them.
They do their thing.
That's great".
Bulwark
already gives some astronomical figures.
There are almost 700,000 contacts tracked, almost an average of 9,000 daily contacts.
In addition, more than a thousand disinfections.
But, as the minister recalls, there is still a long way to go.
Now it's time to collaborate throughout the
vaccination phase
.
Robles does not want to provide details about the participation of the Armed Forces in the deployment "for security reasons."
Robles urgently calls for a European Military Healthcare
The minister synthesizes her image of the Armed Forces in the fight against the pandemic with her experience in the
Madrid Ice Palace
, become the
great morgue
from the capital during the toughest weeks.
«How would you sum it up in an image?
The Ice Palace, with the coffins.
It has marked me.
When I first arrived there were people from
UME
and from
Land Army
.
I asked you please not to leave the deceased alone.
And an officer answered me with a phrase that I will never forget: 'Minister, we never leave our people alone.'
I left the compound crying.
These are our military.
These are our people.
This is his spirit. ”But the minister wants to value the rest of the actions of her ministry.
“Despite the pandemic, we have not stopped doing anything that was planned.
We have continued with all planned investment projects.
Some, like the 8x8, we have managed to get out of paralysis.
Furthermore, apart from the limitations that have been imposed by the pandemic, we continue in all international missions. "" This year has been historic.
We have taken out the
Defense Policy Directive
, that the last one was from 2012. In addition, I have taken the
National Defense Directive
, which had also not been renewed for too long, "says the minister to this newspaper. She wants to ignore the controversy with the retired military and their
controversial chat
.
«The military are generous people, who respect political neutrality and who are under the banner of the
Constitution
.
I put the material in the
Prosecutor's office
, she will be the one who will pronounce on the chat ».
He insists that these soldiers do not represent the Armed Forces, "who set an example of respect for citizens every day."
The military has located more than 700,000 'tracked'
The pandemic has highlighted, according to Robles, “the urgent need to advance in the areas of collaboration within the European Union.
And achieve a
European Military Health
it is clearly essential, "says the minister.
"It is not a question of setting up an army corps but rather of reinforcing European defense policies." Countries have to work in the field of
European Union
and of the
NATO
.
They have to complement each other.
A common defense policy is essential.
Spain, in defense policy, must be a powerful, serious and solid country, "says Robles. Regarding Defense and after the latest
controversial
generated by a part of the coalition Executive with
Morocco
(immigration,
Sahara, Ceuta
and
Melilla
) The minister understands that “from the point of view of security and defense there are and will not be problems.
There are very good relations ».
To continue reading for free
Sign inSign up
Or
subscribe to Premium
and you will have access to all the web content of El Mundo
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more