Antonio Tejero, Leader of the Failed 1981 Coup in Spain, Dies at 93

Antonio Tejero, a former Spanish Lieutenant Colonel and the face of the failed 1981 coup in Spain, has died at the age of 93. His death was announced by a family member and the family's lawyer. Remarkably, his death coincided with the day the Spanish government declassified documents related to the coup attempt.

Background and Context

Known for his nostalgia for Francoism, Tejero was a key figure in the attempted coup in 1981, which sought to overthrow the newly born democracy in Spain. He led his armed followers into the Spanish Congress, holding elected officials hostage and brandishing a pistol in the chamber of the Cortes. But his efforts to seize power were thwarted when it became clear that he had little support from the country's armed forces. The coup was eventually quelled after an 18-hour standoff, largely thanks to the intervention of King Juan Carlos, who refused to back the coup and ordered the generals to obey the democratic constitutional order.

The Coup Attempt and Its Aftermath

On February 23, 1981, Tejero, accompanied by a few civilian guards, stormed into the Spanish parliament, taking elected officials hostage. This was a last-ditch effort by a far-right network of police and military officers to restore the Francoist regime. However, their attempt to seize power was futile as they lacked support from the country's armed forces. The coup ended after 18 hours when King Juan Carlos refused to endorse the coup and insisted on the obedience to the democratic constitutional order.

Declassification of Documents

In an extraordinary coincidence, Tejero's death came on the same day that the socialist-led government of Pedro Sánchez declassified 150 files related to the coup attempt. These documents, kept under lock and key for 45 years, provide insight into why the coup attempt failed. They shed light on the role of King Juan Carlos and the lack of support for the coup within the country's armed forces. The release of these documents is seen as an attempt by the government to dispel conspiracy theories surrounding the events of the failed coup.

Conclusion

Tejero's death marks the end of an era and a reminder of a dark chapter in Spain's history. His failed coup attempt has been seen as a symbol of the far-right's nostalgia for the Francoist regime. His death, coinciding with the declassification of documents related to the coup, offers an opportunity for Spain to re-examine its past and move forward towards a more democratic future.