Antonio Tejero, Leader of 1981 Spanish Coup Attempt, Dies at 93
Madrid – Antonio Tejero Molina, the former Spanish lieutenant colonel who led a failed coup attempt in , a pivotal moment in Spain’s transition to democracy, has died at the age of 93. His family’s lawyer, Luis Felipe Utrera Molina, announced his death on Wednesday.
“Lieutenant Colonel Don Antonio Tejero Molina has passed away. A man of honour, unwavering faith, and great love for Spain. May God grant him the peace that men denied him,” Utrera Molina wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The announcement coincided with the Spanish government’s release of classified documents pertaining to the coup attempt, underscoring the enduring significance of the event in modern Spanish history.
The failed putsch occurred six years after the death of General Francisco Franco, and was orchestrated by military officers who yearned for the privileges enjoyed during his more than four decades of authoritarian rule. Tejero, a prominent figure in the attempted overthrow, stormed the Spanish parliament on , with approximately 200 armed Civil Guards, holding lawmakers hostage for nearly 24 hours.
Tejero’s dramatic entrance into the parliament, punctuated by his bellowed command of “Silence, everyone!”, and his distinctive bushy moustache and tricorn hat, became an indelible image in the Spanish national consciousness. The siege ultimately ended when King Juan Carlos I, Franco’s designated successor, made it clear he would not support the uprising, effectively dismantling the coup.
Born on , in Alhaurín el Grande, a town near Málaga in southern Spain, Tejero’s early life was shaped by the Spanish Civil War (–), which ushered in 36 years of authoritarian rule under Franco. He dedicated his adult life to the Civil Guard, Spain’s military police.
Prior to the coup, Tejero was implicated in another failed attempt to overthrow the government, known as Operation Galaxy, in . He received a seven-month prison sentence for his involvement.
The coup, however, has been described as a “founding myth of Spanish democracy” by Javier Cercas, author of “Anatomy of an Instant,” a detailed account of the events. According to Cercas, writing in the Spanish newspaper El País, the failed coup marked the end of two centuries of military interventionism in Spanish politics and the true beginning of the country’s democratic era.
During his trial, Tejero justified his actions, claiming that the situation in Spain at the beginning of was “worse than in 1936,” the year rebel troops initiated the uprising that overthrew the elected republican government. Reports from the time indicated that he stated he would “do the same again” if given the opportunity.
Tejero was sentenced to 30 years in prison for military rebellion, expelled from the Civil Guard, and stripped of his rank. While incarcerated, he surprisingly became a candidate for a seat in the very parliament he had attempted to overthrow. Although his far-right Spanish Solidarity party failed to win any seats in the elections, the attempt highlighted his continued political ambitions.
In a surprising turn, Tejero also pursued artistic endeavors during his imprisonment, taking up painting and creating nearly 300 artworks. According to El País, his canvases were reportedly sold to supporters for as much as €2,400 apiece, although prices later decreased to around €600.
Following his release on parole in , Tejero largely remained out of the public eye, fiercely guarding his privacy and declining to publish his memoirs. In an interview with journalist Pilar Urbano shortly after the failed coup, he stated, “I did what I thought I had to do to save Spain. I am no longer a colonel, nor a member of the Civil Guard. I have lost my career but I will never lose my patriotism.”
Tejero’s death arrives as Spain continues to grapple with its complex past and the legacy of Franco’s dictatorship. The declassification of documents related to the coup attempt reflects a broader effort to confront this history and strengthen democratic institutions. His actions, though ultimately unsuccessful, played a significant role in solidifying Spain’s commitment to democratic governance.