The Spanish government has made public a trove of documents related to a failed coup attempt that occurred 45 years ago, a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. The release of 153 classified files generated significant interest, causing the official government website hosting the documents to temporarily crash.
The newly disclosed documents include police and judicial reports, transcripts of conversations among officials, and foreign governments’ reactions to the coup attempt. Notably, the files reveal that six intelligence agency employees were implicated in the conspiracy.
One document highlights security forces’ estimates that an attempted police raid on the parliament building could have resulted in “between 80 and 110 deaths.” Additionally, the files contain messages of support from foreign governments following the coup’s failure.
Among these documents is a message from Queen Elizabeth II to King Juan Carlos, stating in Spanish, “We in Great Britain assure you that we know the final outcome.” This reflects the international concern surrounding the events of February 23, 1981, when armed officers stormed the parliamentary chamber in Madrid, interrupting the swearing-in of a new government. Their goal was to restore authoritarian rule, occurring just six years after the death of dictator Francisco Franco.
The coup ultimately failed when King Juan Carlos I addressed the nation on television, expressing his support for the democratically elected government and constitutional order. He publicly opposed the rebels and ordered military forces to remain in their barracks.
For many Spaniards, this incident solidified King Juan Carlos’s image as a savior of their fledgling democracy and a rejection of Francoist values. However, conspiracy theories have emerged over the years, suggesting that the king may have had prior knowledge of the coup or even been actively involved.
Many have questioned the king’s purported heroic role in the events, with some theories positing that the coup was orchestrated by political elites as a test to strengthen the country’s democracy. The current government, led by Pedro Sánchez, has characterized the secrecy surrounding these documents as a “historical anomaly” that needs rectifying, asserting that their release poses no risk to anyone.
Officials also noted that disclosing these files would undermine the credibility of those promoting false narratives about the coup attempt.
The Spanish government has released 153 documents related to the 1981 coup attempt, revealing new insights into the event and its aftermath. The disclosure aims to clarify historical narratives and counter conspiracy theories surrounding the incident.
Source: BBC