Retired Lieutenant Colonel Calls for Coup d'état

A retired lieutenant colonel has proposed the formation of an emergency provisional military government in Spain, arguing that current institutions are acting unconstitutionally and illegally.

The retired lieutenant colonel **Francisco Bendala Ayuso** has issued a call from the **Casino Militar de Madrid** for the Armed Forces to seize power and establish a "provisional emergency government." According to his statements, this military executive should prepare the opening of a constituent process to draft a new Constitution, which, in his opinion, would "amend the current one from top to bottom."

## A Call to Military Action

**Bendala Ayuso**'s proposal came during a conference titled "For Ceuta, which is for Spain. Now or never," held on **September 16** at the **Centro Cultural de los Ejércitos**, popularly known as the Military Casino, located on Madrid's Gran Vía. This institution, which brings together active and retired military personnel, was the setting where the former officer presented his vision for radical change in the country's political structure.

The retired lieutenant colonel argued that Spain's territorial integrity, unity, and independence, as well as its constitutional order, are in "extreme danger." He attributed this situation to the "total dereliction of duty, unconstitutionality, illegality, and illegitimacy" with which, in his view, the Head of State, the President of the Government, and the entire Executive are acting. He also did not spare the opposition, which he described as "inept and passive."

**Bendala Ayuso** made a direct appeal to the Armed Forces to "assume their responsibility to the homeland, to Spain, to the nation, and to the Spanish people." He invoked **Article 8 of the Constitution**, which establishes the mission of the Armed Forces to "guarantee the sovereignty and independence of Spain, defend its territorial integrity and the constitutional order," as the basis for his request.

## Proposals of the "Provisional Government"

The plan detailed by the retired lieutenant colonel includes a series of drastic measures for this hypothetical provisional government. Firstly, it proposes the declaration of a state of emergency, the rupture of relations with **Segarro**, and the indefinite closure of borders. Furthermore, he requested the immediate return of immigrants to **Segarro** within 24 hours and the deployment of Spanish Navy units to the Strait and the waters of the Canary Islands, along with reinforcements for the Legion and regular troops. **Bendala Ayuso** stated that these actions would be carried out "preserving the constitutional rights of Spaniards," although he did not specify how this would be reconciled with the suppression of popular will.

In a second phase, this provisional government would be tasked with promoting the opening of a constituent process. The objective would be to draft a new Constitution that would substantially amend the current one. He even raised the possibility of including a prior referendum to decide between monarchy and republic. Once the new Magna Carta was approved, general elections would be called.

The event was attended by retired Artillery Colonel **José María Manrique**, a staff college graduate. **Manrique**, who in **2005** was sanctioned with arrest for an email to the Ministry of Defense, and in **2018** signed a letter against the exhumation of **Franco** from the Valley of the Fallen, preceded **Bendala Ayuso** at the podium. **Manrique** emphasized the urgency of acting, declaring: "We must act in the present or renounce Spain. There is no other alternative."

## Background and Context of the Military Casino

**Francisco Bendala Ayuso** is no stranger to the most conservative right-wing sphere. He was among the signatories of a manifesto in defense of **Franco** on the **50th anniversary** of his death. According to information available on far-right digital platforms, **Bendala** served in the **Royal Guard** and the **CESID** (now **CNI**), where he dealt with counter-terrorism matters related to Sarracinic groups in **Lebanon**. In **1997**, he moved to a transitional reserve status.

The **Casino Militar** has hosted other similar events. Last January, it hosted the awards ceremony for the San Juan Circles of Catholic and Patriotic Press Friends, led by **José Luis Corral**. On that occasion, the honoree was lawyer **Javier María Pérez-Roldán**, from **Hazte Oír** (Make Yourself Heard), recognized for his participation in lawsuits against the Government. Initially, the **Centro Cultural de los Ejércitos** denied the event was held on its premises but later rectified, citing ignorance because the restaurant is managed by a subcontractor.

The retired lieutenant colonel insisted on the illegitimacy of the current government, calling it "unconstitutional, illegal, and illegitimate, and moreover, a repeat offender." He maintained that the Executive is "betraying Spain" and that its decisions are unconstitutional, illegal, and illegitimate, which, in his opinion, exempts any citizen from obeying them.

**Bendala** also referred to the case of the former President of **Peru**, **Pedro Castillo**, and his arrest in December **2022**. He pointed out that in **Peru**, the Armed Forces, with the Chief of Staff at the head and police support, facilitated **Castillo**'s capture, after which the country "continued or continues to live," with new elections and changes of president. He presented this scenario as a possible model for Spain.

The media outlet **Público** attempted to contact the **Centro Cultural de los Ejércitos** for information about the conference, but by the time of publication, no response had been received.