Catalonia Chasm

Seems an eternity ago, but it was only 1992 when Spanish King Juan Carlos welcomed the world to the Barcelona Olympics. Spaniards and local Catalans regaled in the international exposure and status of hosting the XXV Olympiad.

Catalonia pride was officially underscored. The 1992 Summer Olympic Games were also spelled out in Catalan: “Jocs Olimpics d’estiu de 1992.” Plus, the King rolled out his country’s rhetorical welcome mat in Catalan, the ultimate–these-are-no-longer-the-fascist-Catalonia-suppressing-days-of-Francisco Franco–gesture.

That was 25 years ago. A generation as an epoch.

Last week the Catalonian Parliament voted to secede from Spain. Within hours, the Spanish prime minister had fired the Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, as well as the director general of the regional police force. Madrid took control of Catalonia’s government. Catalonia was stripped of its autonomy.

There are no plans for King Juan Carlos to intercede.

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