Former Spanish Military Chief Urges Vigilance on Morocco Relations, Criticizes Government Stance

"I don’t think Morocco is a direct threat to Spain today. What I believe is that Spain is turning its back on Morocco, which surprises me a lot, because we are the only European country to share borders with it. If I were Moroccan, I would be outraged against the Spaniards because they pay no attention to me...," said General Fernando Alejandre Martínez in an interview with The Objective on the occasion of the launch of his book titled "Rey servido y patria honrada".

To read: Morocco’s "Hybrid Strategy" Aims to Claim Spanish Enclaves, Report Warns

For the former Chief of the Defense Staff (2017-2020), however, we should be concerned about Morocco’s claim on the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, even though he believes that Morocco would not go so far as to open an armed conflict. "That the conflict happens tomorrow, I doubt it, but we must be ready for the day it happens," he advised.

To read: Spain’s Military Sales to Morocco Raise National Security Concerns

The military expert also addresses in his book the issue of the "politicization" of the Armed Forces, stressing that National Defense must be "a commitment of all Spaniards". He also deplores the loss of patriotism in Spanish society, notably due to the fact that Spain has not faced any external threat for 200 years. According to a sociological study, four out of ten Spaniards would be ready to defend their nation, he explains.