JUAN Ignacio Zoido, the interior minister officially concluded his duties this week, remembering Gabriel Cruz, the eight-year-old Almerian boy who was allegedly murdered in February.
He led Spain’s national security bodies during the boy’s case, regularly featuring on national media throughout the ordeal which captured Spaniards’ hearts.
“I will never forget the lesson that Angel and Patricia (Gabriel’s parents) taught me,” Zoido posted on his personal Twitter account.
In the messages he also thanked ex-Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, as well as interior ministry staff who “helped him on a daily basis.”
He wrote of the “really difficult moments” during his posting like the Cataluña terrorist attacks in 2017.
“The worst moments make you grow as a person and encounter marvelous examples of humanity, generosity and dedication of others,” he wrote.
The post came with a picture of himself hugging Gabriel’s mum, Patricia.
Zoido was visibly emotional when he attended Gabriel’s funeral in Almeria cathedral carrying a blue scarf in his hand.
Gabriel’s mother gave Zoido the item in a gesture to thank the Guardia Civil agents deployed when her son disappeared on February 27 in Las Hortichuelas de Nijar, in Almeria.
