After 60 years of violence and more than 800 deaths, the basque separatist group ETA has formally announced its dissolution. Three past leaders of the group read a statement confirming it would cease its activities and dissolve.

The backdrop: ETA gained political support during Francisco Franco's four decade-long military regime. Its violent actions alienated most of the population amid the war against terrorism, though, and became a burden for the separatist movement. The ETA abandoned its armed campaign seven years ago, and now intends to follow a more institutional path towards the independence of the basque territories, as has been seen in Catalonia.