Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy | El Abierto

Episode Date: November 18, 2025
Host: SER Podcast
Main Contributors: Ignacio Escolar, Mario La Urrea, Carlos Navarro Antolín

Overview of the Episode

This episode dives deep into two major topics: the long-delayed access to the secret parliamentary documents surrounding the 1977 killing of Manuel José García Caparrós during a pro-autonomy demonstration in Málaga, and the heated fallout from the commission investigating the Dana floods in Valencia, centering on President Carlos Mazón’s controversial testimonies and the political abandonment by the Partido Popular (PP). Additional timely topics include the detention of prominent PP politicians in Andalucía and international updates on Ukraine and Gaza.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Revelation of the García Caparrós Case Documents

• Background: Manuel José García Caparrós, a young Andalusian activist, was shot by police during peaceful demonstrations for regional autonomy in Málaga (1977). The truth about his death was kept secret for decades.
• Historic Moment: Nearly 50 years later, his sisters will be allowed to access the previously hidden archive.
• Significance for Historical Memory: This breakthrough is directly related to the recent Spanish Law of Democratic Memory, which removes legal obstacles for family members to access transition-era documents.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the years of secrecy:
  • “El secreto comenzó desde el mismo momento de su muerte… empezaron a mentir desde primera hora.” – Sara Selva, reporting on the family’s experience [03:00]
• On family pain:
  • “Mi madre ya desde aquel día, la mataron a ella también y ella ya no levantó cabeza.” – Loli Caparrós [03:35]
• On the societal role of memory:
  • “Qué necesario es poder generar en España espacios todavía para hablar de la memoria... porque sin memoria es muy difícil configurar los cimientos sólidos para una democracia.” – Mariola Urrea [08:43]

Timestamps

• [00:57–07:36] – Recap of Caparrós case, the family’s fight, and today’s context
• [08:43–10:15] – Analysis of why memory is still critical for Spanish democracy

2. Valencia Dana Floods: Mazón’s Commission Testimony and the PP's Retreat

Carlos Mazón’s Parliamentary Appearance

• Accusations and Deflections: Mazón, President of the Valencian Generalitat, repeatedly denied responsibility for delayed critical alerts during the deadly Dana floods, shifting blame to meteorological and central government agencies.
• Evasive Testimony: He offered multiple, conflicting stories about his whereabouts during the crisis, including suggesting he missed emergency calls because his phone was “in his backpack.”
• Judicial Pressure: Court rulings and investigation logs have invalidated Mazón’s justifications, with documentation showing active avoidance of key emergency calls and filtered, misleading leaks to the press.

Key Quotes & Exchanges

• “Un florero es lo que me está diciendo usted que no sirve para nada, o sea que usted no tomó ninguna decisión.” – Deputy, pressing Mazón on his inaction [16:30]
• “Siento decirle que no es así.” – Mazón, in response to being accused of dodging calls [16:43]
• “Usted es un inútil. Usted es un mentiroso... ojalá pague con cárcel.” – Gabriel Rufián, summing up opposition frustration [18:01]
• “La jueza ha llegado a escribir que es completamente absurda la contumaz insistencia en atribuir responsabilidad a la CHJ o a EMET.” – Miguel Ángel Campos, summarizing judicial findings [20:14]
• “La última [versión]: salió de restaurante sin escolta y no escuchó el teléfono porque lo tenía en la mochila.” – Ignacio Escolar, on Mazón’s shifting explanations [24:02]
• “Se me acaban las palabras para describir tanto bochorno.” – Mariola Urrea, about Mazón’s performance [31:33]

Timestamps

• [15:00–18:18] – Highlights from Mazón’s commission appearance, key moments of tension, Rufián’s harsh critique
• [19:10–22:59] – Disproved claims by Mazón according to judicial investigation, timeline inconsistencies
• [23:48–31:33] – Panel analysis on Mazón’s lack of credibility, contradictions, and the judicial “tightening of the net”
• [36:28–38:17] – Reflections on the PP’s deflection and comparison with how other officials (e.g., government delegate) acted responsibly

Party Political Fallout

• The PP’s central leadership (Génova) distances itself from Mazón after months of initially defending him.
• Feijóo’s statements contradict Mazón’s claims regarding communication during the crisis, deepening the party’s internal credibility crisis.
• The panel predicts a rapid agreement with Vox to secure the new government in Valencia, anticipating major concessions, especially on immigration and other hardline issues.

3. Other Significant News Segments

PP Corruption in Andalucía

• Breaking news about the arrest of Javier Aureliano García, prominent PP leader in Almería, for suspected corruption and kickbacks from pandemic-related contracts.
  • “Es una detención muy relevante… con un impacto muy claro desde el punto de vista político aquí en Andalucía.” – Diego Suárez [43:24]

International: Zelensky in Spain & Gaza Peace Process

• Ukraine: President Zelensky visits the Spanish Parliament to seek further military support, as U.S. aid runs dry.
  • “La guerra de Ucrania es también nuestra guerra.” – Mariola Urrea [58:26]
• Gaza: The UN backs elements of a U.S.-brokered plan for a transitional government in Gaza and a possible future Palestinian state, though panelists remain skeptical about the realistic prospects.
  • “Este es el mal menor… urge ver cómo se cumplen los puntos del acuerdo.” – Carlos Navarro Antolín [67:08]

Comprehensive Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:57–10:15 | Caparrós sisters access documents, analysis on Spanish memory laws | | 15:00–24:02 | Carlos Mazón’s commission appearance, opposition reactions | | 19:10–23:48 | Judicial debunking of Mazón’s claims, PP’s handling | | 24:02–38:17 | Panel critique: Mazón’s credibility, implications for PP & Vox | | 41:40–43:52 | Breaking: PP arrests in Andalucía corruption case | | 53:43–59:39 | Ukraine: Zelensky’s visit to Spain and military aid appeal | | 61:44–67:08 | Gaza: UN resolution, skeptical assessment by the panel |

Conclusion

This episode transitions fluently from historical reckoning with the past (Caparrós case and the ongoing need for democratic memory in Spain) to the acute present, exposing political evasion and systemic failures during the Dana floods in Valencia. It captures, with candid commentary and factual precision, the unraveling of Carlos Mazón’s credibility, the PP’s awkward repositioning, and the broader implications for alliances with Vox as well as regional governance. Internationally, it spotlights the urgency of European support for Ukraine and the complexities of the Gaza peace process. Rich in direct quotes and context, the discussion offers both detailed factual analysis and passionate moral reflection.