Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero, Leader of 1981 Spanish Coup Attempt, Dies at 93

Madrid, Spain – Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina, who led the attempted coup d’état in Spain on February 23, 1981, has died at the age of 93, his family’s lawyer announced on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The news coincides with the declassification and publication of documents related to the failed coup attempt 45 years ago.

Luis Felipe Utrera Molina, the family’s lawyer, announced Tejero’s death on X, stating, “Lieutenant Colonel Don Antonio Tejero Molina has died. A man of honor, of unwavering faith and of great love for Spain. May God grant him the peace that men have denied him.”

The 1981 Coup Attempt

On February 23, 1981, Tejero, commanding approximately 200 members of the Civil Guard, stormed the Congress of Deputies in Madrid during the inauguration of Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo as the new president. Brandishing a pistol, Tejero famously shouted, “¡Quieto todo el mundo!” (“Everyone stay still!”) LaPresse

The coup ultimately failed and Tejero surrendered on February 24th. He was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison. Wikipedia

King Juan Carlos I’s Role

King Juan Carlos I, who came to power in 1975, played a crucial role in thwarting the coup. He spent the night rallying military support to oppose the uprising. Wikipedia General Alfonso Armada, considered a key figure in the attempted coup, was also sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempting to establish a military government. Wikipedia

Significance of the Failed Coup

The failure of the coup is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in Spain’s transition to democracy. Writer Javier Cercas, author of Anatomy of a Moment, described the event as “the founding myth of Spanish democracy,” marking the end of two centuries of military interventionism in Spain and solidifying the country’s democratic progress. The New York Times

Recent Declassification of Documents

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Monday, February 23, 2026, that classified archives related to the February 23, 1981, coup attempt would be made public on the government website, making them available to all. Sur in English This declassification occurred on the same day as Tejero’s death. Sur in English

Tejero died in Valencia, where one of his daughters resides, though he was closely linked to Malaga, where he was born in 1932 and served as a Guardia Civil officer. Sur in English