Spain: the rural world, shocked by the murder of a rancher and two civil guard in Teruel
The rural world is shocked by the crime committed last December 14th in Teruel against the two civil guards, Víctor Romero Pérez and Víctor Jesús Caballero Espinosa, and the rancher Jose Luis Iranzo. Thus, COAG, agrarian union to which Iranzo belonged, has expressed its deepest consternation for this murder, which has meant “an irreparable loss for the agrarian unionism of the present and the future.” Like COAG, UPA wanted to show its solidarity with the victims of this event, which has been described as “a drama that hits the heart of rural areas.”
From both organizations, the deepest condolences have been conveyed to the relatives and companions of the victims of this cruel action, perpetrated, according to the latest information, by a Serb exile, already detained by the Spanish authorities and claimed for several crimes in Italy, in the Teruel town of Albalate. It is the case that the murdered agents belonged to the ROCA groups against thefts in the field, which were created as a result of the demands of agrarian organizations to improve the security of the farms.
The maximum responsible of COAG have moved to the municipality of Andorra to support family and friends and give the last goodbye to José Luis Iranzo. Likewise, this organization has reiterated its commitment to defend the interests of the agricultural sector and the values of the rural environment. In that line from UPA it is indicated that “for this crime is not in vain, urges a deep reflection on the situation of abandonment and insecurity that we live in the rural environment“. “This assassin already starred in a shooting with wounded more than a week ago. Although it is soon for a thorough assessment of the facts, perhaps the most logical thing would have been to mount a device long before to capture the criminal “, they have lamented.
José Luis Iranzo was a livestock companion “very dear to UPA”, they explained. “The ways of collaboration and joint work were continuous, so their loss is irreparable for the struggle of Spanish farmers and ranchers to achieve a better life.”
Jose Luís Iranzo Alquezar, 40, was born in Andorra (Teruel). He was married and had a 4-year-old son. Son and grandson of shepherds, managed a sheep farm and is dedicated to the cultivation of cereals, olives and nuts. For 6 years (2009-2105), he was part of the National Executive Committee of COAG, responsible for the winning sectors, olive and nuts. During this period he also held the Vice Presidency of the Working Group of Ovine-Caprine of COPA-COGECA in Brussels. In addition, he was the State Coordinator of the Area of Agricultural Youth of COAG between 2002 and 2008. At present he was responsible for the livestock sectors of UAGA-COAG Aragón and President of the Agricultural Cooperative of Andorra (Teruel).
Sources: COAG and UPA
