The Legacy of Antonio Tejero and the 1981 Coup Attempt in Spain

Antonio Tejero, the former lieutenant colonel who orchestrated the infamous military coup in Spain in 1981, has passed away at the age of 93. Known as the Tejero coup, this pivotal moment in Spanish history aimed to thwart the country's transition to democracy, which had started only six years after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco. Tejero's attempt to seize control of the parliament ultimately failed due in large part to King Juan Carlos I, who delivered a critical televised address urging the military to stand down against the coup. The coup, which began on February 23, 1981, was marked by Tejero storming into the parliament building in Madrid with armed soldiers, holding government officials hostage in a bid to halt the installation of Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo's government. Their objective was to restore the Francoist regime, but after an intense standoff lasting roughly 18 hours, the coup was thwarted. The striking image of Tejero brandishing a pistol in the chamber has become one of the most enduring symbols of this event. With the 45th anniversary of the coup approaching, the Spanish government recently released 167 previously classified documents to counter various conspiracy theories surrounding that turbulent period. Among these theories was the suggestion that King Juan Carlos had prior knowledge of the coup—a claim made by the coup plotters during their trial. However, the newly uncovered documents do not support this conspiracy and even reveal that six intelligence agents were involved in Tejero's plans. One notable document features a confession from the coup plotters acknowledging their mistake in leaving the Bourbon, referring to King Juan Carlos, uncontained and believing him to be a man of integrity. In a crucial phone call, the king urged one of Tejero's allies, Milans de Bosch, to withdraw, stating, "I swear I will not abdicate nor abandon Spain." Tejero faced significant consequences for his actions, receiving a 30-year prison sentence for armed rebellion and being expelled from the military. Despite his imprisonment, which included time under supervised release, he remained a notorious figure among the far-right supporters of Francoist ideologies. In the 1982 elections, he attempted to establish a political party, Spanish Solidarity, which garnered a mere 0.14 percent of the vote, reflecting his marginalization from mainstream politics. In recent years, Tejero's public presence dwindled, especially as reports about his declining health emerged. His last notable appearance was in 2019 during the controversial transfer of Franco's remains to a new cemetery, a decision made by the current socialist government headed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Despite the anticipation surrounding the release of the classified documents, they showed little new information regarding the coup attempt, with the government website even going offline due to high traffic. The newly released materials have not provided any evidence suggesting the king's involvement, reinforcing the narrative of his opposition to the coup. Tejero's death marks the end of an era that echoes with the complexities of Spain's past, particularly surrounding its turbulent transition to democracy. The implications of the attempted coup still resonate today as Spain continues to grapple with its historical memory and the disparate sentiments surrounding Franco's influence in the country. The legacy of the Tejero coup remains a cautionary tale of the fragility of democracy, the power of leadership in critical moments, and the importance of addressing historical narratives. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2