Overview

• On April 19, 1995, ETA attempted to assassinate opposition leader José María Aznar with a car bomb in Madrid, which detonated prematurely, sparing Aznar and his driver.
• The attack killed Margarita González Mansilla, a neighbor trapped under the debris of her home, who is now honored with a plaque installed in November 2024 at the attack site.
• Despite operational evidence, no suspects have ever been arrested or charged, leaving the case legally unresolved after three decades.
• The failed assassination bolstered Aznar’s public image, contributing to the Partido Popular’s significant gains in the 1995 Basque municipal elections and his rise to prime minister in 1996.
• The attack’s legacy continues to shape public memory and political narratives, with renewed reflection on its 30th anniversary.