Concept in Definition ABC

Some historical events are remembered by the date they happened. This is what happens with F 23, since on February 23, 1981, an attempted coup took place in the Spanish Congress of Deputies.

The events took place during the investiture session of Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo, who was to be proclaimed as the new president of the nation. Moments before the parliamentary vote took place, a small group of soldiers led by the Lieutenant Colonel Tejero entered Congress with the purpose of having the army join the military rebellion. The words that the lieutenant colonel spoke were the following: "Freeze everyone!" Seconds later, the vast majority of deputies hid under their seats. There were moments of great tension: shots to the air and a verbal confrontation between the vice president of government and the coup plotters. Meanwhile, television and radio collected the testimony of what was happening.

The military uprising was aborted by the intervention of King Juan Carlos l, who addressed the nation on television as the head of the

force armed forces and disavowed the coup plotters. Within hours the coup had failed and the retained deputies were able to leave Congress the next morning.

Background to the coup

Before the failed coup attempt there were times of great tension in Spain politics. A section of the army did not support the democratic reforms that had taken place. On the other hand, the terrorist group ETA committed numerous attacks and murders that impacted society as a whole. President Adolfo Suárez had resigned prior to the coup and there was a weather of political instability. It could be said that the country was going through a period of uncertainty: continue on the democratic path or take a turn and return to a regime similar to the previous one.

Aftermath of the coup and some riddles to be solved

The soldiers involved were tried and sentenced to prison. Society as a whole opted for the democratic path and the specter of involution was dissipating. However, historians continue to debate some episodes that remain to be resolved:

1) the name of who promoted the military coup is unknown and for this reason he is called the White Elephant,

2) It is unknown who were the civilians who knew the intentions of the coup plotters and the role of the security services. intelligence,

3) it is not known what was the role of the CIA and

4) The recording of the telephone conversations of the people who participated in the organization of the coup has never been found.

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