What is next for ETA and Spain?

Plaza de Colón Madrid, Spain

Just two days after the Spanish Ministry of the Interior increased security in Madrid for fear of another ETA attack they deny the arrest of the separatist leader of ETA. Reports from AFP said that Iurgi Meninueta Mintegi or better know as “Aitor” was arrested early Saturday morning near the city of Bordeaux in the southwest part of France. But Spain’s Interior Ministry denied these national radio reports on Saturday, according to AFP. “Aitor”, who is only 26 years old, is the supposed leader of ETA who took control of the separatist group in November after the arrest of then top leaders "Txeroki" and "Gurbitz" in southwest France according to Spanish radio.

The Ministry of Interior believes ETA has some type of connection in Madrid after the car bomb that went off last week in the north business sector of the city. More agents have been brought in to the capital to keep an extra eye out for possible attacks.

It will be interesting to see the story of “Aitor” develop because I am confused by the early reports of his arrest but then the Spanish government denies having detained him. Why would the government hide the news of this very important step in stopping the terrorist group? And if he is actually in police custody what will be the next move for the separatist group without its leader? With elections in two weeks it seems an attack is lurking in the shadows. With the extra security in Madrid ETA will have a much harder time of a possible attack but that will probably not stop any attempts.