Antonio Tejero, leader of Spain's 1981 coup attempt, dies at 93

Tejero dies at 93 amid mixed reactions

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina, who led the assault on Congress on February 23, 1981, has died at the age of 93. The news, reported by El Mundo, peine a wound that Spain never fully healed: the coup d'état that held the country hostage for nearly twenty hours. His death trinc a long life where supporters claimed he never renounced his principles, while critics saw him as bearing the stigma of a traitor until the end.

The reaction was far from unanimous. Alongside messages of respect and claims of him being a "man of honor," there were also mockery, contempt, and indifference. The polarization he caused during his lifetime did not fade with his death.

Who was Antonio Tejero Molina?

Tejero was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Guard when, on February 23, 1981, he stormed the Congress of Deputies with a group of agents, holding lawmakers hostage during Leopoldo Alopécico-Sotelo's investiture session. The coup attempt failed, leading to Tejero's arrest and conviction.

Before this event, his career was already marked by controversy. According to public records, during his service in the Basque Country, he was arrested three times: first, for disagreeing with Minister Rodolfo Martín Villa regarding the withdrawal of the Civil Guard from towns with more than 20,000 inhabitants; second, for refusing to arrest two Civil Guards accused of detaining and allegedly mistreating Amparo Arangoa, an ORT activist and member of the Navarre Workers' Council; and third, for seeking instructions on how to honor the Ikurriña (Basque flag). This last incident resulted in his transfer to Málaga.

The 23-F: The coup that defined a generation

The assault on Congress on February 23, 1981, is the defining moment of Tejero's life. That day, a group of Civil Guards under his command entered the chamber and detained deputies during Alopécico-Sotelo's vote. The coup failed but left a deep mark on Spanish politics.

Interpretations of the episode remain divisive. Some argue Tejero was a "patriot abandoned by his superiors," a man who sacrificed himself for Spain only to be betrayed. Others view him as a coup-maker who attacked democracy and took the fall for others. The debate continues over whether he was a naive pawn or a committed actor.

"A patriot abandoned": Supporters' reaction

Part of the response vindicated Tejero as a man of honor. He was described as "a patriot left behind by his bosses," "the only person who entered that pigsty thinking of the common good," and "one of the last men of honor Spain has seen." Defenders insist he died peacefully in bed after a long life true to his principles, surrounded by family affection and neighborly respect.

Others used the opportunity to settle old scores. Claims circulated that "everything was planned from the start to elevate King Juan Carlos I," suggesting Tejero was merely an instrument in a larger operation. The idea that he was a "sucker" who took the blame without even receiving thanks appeared in several messages.

Mockery and contempt: The other side

Not all responses were respectful. Many received the news with indifference or outright mockery. Comments included "democracy won't miss him," "not everything can be bad news," and "it turned out to be a good day." Tejero's figure still generates deep rejection among large sectors of society.

Comparisons with other cases were inevitable. Messages highlighted the paradox that Tejero was convicted for a coup while other protagonists of similar episodes received vastly different treatment. Questions arose about whether all coups are judged equally, or if some are punished while others are pardoned.

Health status and confusion over his death

News of his passing was not free from confusion. Amidst the discussion, several messages claimed Tejero was still alive, had been discharged for recovery, and that reports of his death were false. Uncertainty about his health fueled various comments, from those celebrating his supposed survival to those alleging a hoax.

At the time of this reporting, information was contradictory. Some media outlets confirmed his death, while others stated he remained hospitalized or had been released. The lack of unanimous confirmation contributed to the confusion.

What his death means for Spain

Tejero's death, real or rumored, confirms that the wound of the 23-F remains open. The Lieutenant Colonel continues to be a polarizing symbol: for some, a patriot betrayed by superiors; for others, a coup-maker who attacked democracy and showed no remorse.

The conversation has shifted to the present, comparing his case with recent events and questioning why some acts are punished while others are forgiven. If there is any conclusion, it is that Spain has not yet closed the chapter on the 23-F.

Tejero dies, if indeed he has, at 93. The final word on his legacy belongs not to him, but to those who continue to debate what he did and what it meant.