Podcast Summary:

Hoy por Hoy – “Buscan el máximo daño posible con los menos recursos posibles”: el inspector que dirigió la operación contra 'The Base' describe la organización terrorista
Host: Àngels Barceló
Guest: Inspector de la Comisaría General de Información
Date: December 2, 2025

Main Theme

This episode centers on the recent dismantling of a terrorist cell of the extremist organization 'The Base' in Spain. The host, Àngels Barceló, interviews the police inspector who led the operation, exploring the threat posed by this cell, its ideology, recruitment, operational details, and the broader context of 'The Base' and its connections across Europe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Makes This Cell So Dangerous?

• The inspector describes the cell as particularly dangerous within the EU due to their adoption of "acceleracionismo," an extreme variant of white supremacism.
• Acceleracionismo is characterized by the aim to destabilize society by causing as much harm as possible with minimal resources, lacking defined targets and instead focusing on indiscriminate violence.
  • Quote:
    • "Es peligrosa… abrazan la teoría más extrema del supremacismo blanco, que es el aceleracionismo... hacer el máximo daño posible con los recursos menos posibles." (Inspector, 00:24-01:02)

Operational Capacity and Intent

• The cell had acquired firearms and various knives, indicating clear intent and operational readiness.
• Their lack of specific targets, mirroring jihadist tactics, increases unpredictability and risk.
  • Quote:
    • "El problema de este tipo de terrorismo es que no tienen objetivos específicos... hacer el máximo daño posible con los recursos menos posibles." (Inspector, 01:02)

Targeted Groups and Ideological Enemies

• The cell viewed several groups as enemies: antifascists, LGTBI community, Jewish and Muslim communities, immigrants, law enforcement, and politicians.
  • Quote:
    • "Consideran enemigos los colectivos antifascistas, el colectivo LGTBI, la comunidad judía, la comunidad musulmana, los inmigrantes y también las fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad y los políticos y gobernantes." (Inspector, 01:43)

Reasons for Timing of the Operation

• Despite months of monitoring, escalation in weapon accumulation and a direct call for attacks from the international leader of 'The Base' prompted the police to intervene.
  • Quote:
    • "El grado de radicalización ya era muy alto... el líder internacional... realizó una convocatoria, un llamamiento a perpetrar ya ataques selectivos... Ya teníamos que hacer una intervención policial." (Inspector, 02:06)

Links to the International Organization

• The Spanish cell leader maintained ongoing contact with 'The Base' founder, reporting movements and receiving direct instructions.
  • Quote:
    • "El líder español estaba en permanente contacto con el líder de The Base a nivel mundial y le reportaba todos los movimientos de la célula española..." (Inspector, 02:47)

Expansion Attempts and Recruitment Tactics

• The core cell attempted but failed to establish subordinate cells in northern and southern Spain due to the leader’s highly selective recruitment process.
• Potential recruits underwent rigorous vetting stages—many, especially young people, did not pass either due to an unwillingness to commit terror acts or not fitting the desired profile.
  • Quote:
    • "...el proceso de captación del líder era bastante… cautelosa. Pasaba por diferentes fases y... muchos de ellos se quedaban atrás o no eran el perfil..." (Inspector, 03:22)

Radicalization Level and Ideological Foundations

• Seized materials included military gear and neo-Nazi manuals, evidencing deep ideological commitment.
• The group sought to "accelerate" societal collapse, blaming multiculturalism and immigration.
  • Quote:
    • "Ya estaban totalmente radicalizados en los postulados ideológicos de The Base, que aboga por esa perpetración de atentados con el fin de acelerar ese colapso..." (Inspector, 04:16)

International Context and Attacks

• The interview references several attacks in Europe associated with accelerationist ideology, including those by Stefan Ball and Tobias Rachten in Germany, and Anders Breivik in Norway.
  • Quote:
    • "Hay varios atentados ya en Europa, me viene a la mente el de Stefan Ball en Alemania, o el de Tobias Rachten..." (Inspector, 04:55)

Typical Member Profile and Recruitment Methods

• Members are predominantly young men with socialization or psychological issues, intentionally targeted by recruiters.
• Indoctrination is gradual, with only those showing predisposition for violence progressing.
  • Quote:
    • "Suelen captar a jóvenes… que tengan problemas de socialización o algún tipo de inestabilidad... luego ya empieza ese proceso de adoctrinamiento..." (Inspector, 05:25)
• Recruitment and radicalization occur almost entirely online, making detection and infiltration difficult.
  • Quote:
    • "Es todo online, lo tratamos como una subcultura virtual... es complejo detectarlos." (Inspector, 05:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Hacer el máximo daño posible con los recursos menos posibles."
  (Inspector, 01:02)
  Summarizes the group's operational doctrine.
• "El grado de radicalización ya era muy alto... Ya conocíamos que se habían hecho acopio de gran armamento..."
  (Inspector, 02:06)
  Justifies the urgency of police intervention.
• "El líder español estaba en permanente contacto con el líder de The Base a nivel mundial..."
  (Inspector, 02:47)
  Indicates transnational coordination.

Important Timestamps

• 00:24 — Introduction to the cell’s ideology and unique danger
• 01:02 — Discussion of operational strategy: "máximo daño con menos recursos"
• 01:43 — List of targeted groups
• 02:06 — Triggering factors for the police operation
• 02:47 — Coordination with international leadership
• 03:22 — Expansion efforts and recruitment vetting
• 04:16 — Level of radicalization and contents found in raids
• 04:55 — Reference to prior European attacks
• 05:25 — Profile of typical recruits and indoctrination method
• 05:55 — Online recruitment and detection challenges

Closing Remarks

The episode offers a piercing look into the risks posed by accelerationist groups like 'The Base.' The inspector’s insights underline the evolving threat landscape, the deeply ideological motives, and challenges faced by authorities in pre-empting digitally-savvy extremist cells. For listeners interested in security, radicalization, or the dynamics of contemporary terrorism in Europe, this interview delivers essential context and unprecedented access to inside police perspectives.