Overview
- Julián García Vargas died Tuesday at age 80, Spanish national outlets reported citing EFE sources.
- He served as minister of Health from 1986 to 1991 and then as minister of Defence in Felipe González’s government, directing Spanish troop deployments to the Gulf and Bosnia.
- As defence minister he cut compulsory military service to nine months, created the Rapid Action Force and advanced new laws on military staffing and discipline.
- He resigned after the CESID illegal wiretapping scandal, and later the European Union appointed him special envoy and mediator for Bosnia, including work on Mostar.
- After leaving government he led key defence‑industry groups such as TEDAE and FEINDEF, received top military and aeronautical honors, and remained a prominent voice on defence policy.