DR ‹ › Former Spanish Defense Minister Federico Trillo, who served from April 2000 to April 2004, recently offered a controversial interpretation of the March 11, 2004, Madrid attacks during a book presentation in Barcelona. Trillo expressed his «absolute conviction» that the attacks were orchestrated by «cells sent from Morocco, under the supervision and coordination of French intelligence services». The Madrid attacks are considered Spain's «largest terrorist incident», claiming 191 lives and injuring approximately 1,800 people. Trillo linked his theory to a broader intelligence network beyond the immediate attackers, asserting that «both the CIA and British intelligence agree that a continental intelligence agency is behind them». He claimed his interpretation is supported by data, despite it contradicting the official judicial findings and the stance of José María Aznar's government at the time. Trillo also critiqued the government's response in the aftermath of the attacks. With a tone of self-reflection, he described the government's performance as «not just bad, but worse», highlighting the failure to establish a broader crisis council. He noted that key government figures, including the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister, and himself as Defense Minister, were excluded from crucial decision-making processes. According to Trillo, a smaller group handled the coordination, which he believes compromised the analysis and institutional response during a time of extreme pressure. Official investigations in Spain concluded that the attacks were carried out by a terrorist cell inspired by Al-Qaeda's ideology, as retaliation for Spain's involvement in the Iraq War and its alliance with the United States.
