The Spanish government has announced a historic decision to declassify documents related to the failed coup d'état of February 23, 1981. On the 45th anniversary of Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero's entry into the Congress of Deputies, the public will gain access to materials previously covered by strict state secrecy. This decision aims to clarify the role of key figures, including King Juan Carlos I and the mythical figure of the 'White Elephant,' who allegedly led the coup.

Declassification of 23-F Documents

The Spanish government has decided to disclose previously unknown archives related to the 1981 coup d'état in order to 'repay a historical debt' to society.

Success of Historical Series

The production 'Anatomy of a Moment' achieved record viewership (15% market share), reminding audiences of the key heroes of resistance against the dictatorship.

Tensions Around Secrets

Historians point out that key evidence may still be blocked by the old state secrets law from the Franco era.

The decision to declassify the files from February 23, 1981, known in Spain as 23-F, marks a breakthrough in research on Spain's political transformation. For nearly half a century, key evidence, including interrogation transcripts and intelligence agency reports, remained inaccessible under a controversial state secrecy law from the 1960s. These documents could shed new light on the events in Congress and the actual involvement of high-ranking military commanders who have so far avoided responsibility. The anniversary events were preceded by the massive media success of the miniseries 'Anatomy of a Moment,' based on the prose of Javier Cercas. The production, aired by the public broadcaster RTVE, attracted over 1.3 million viewers, demonstrating the undiminished significance of this topic for the collective memory of Spaniards. The series focuses on three figures who refused to obey the coup plotters' orders: Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez, Deputy Prime Minister Gutiérrez Mellado, and communist leader Santiago Carrillo. Their stance became a symbol of the young parliamentary institution's resilience against violence. After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, Spain began a rapid process of democratization, which was constantly threatened by radical factions of the army attached to the old order. Despite the government's announcement, historians and investigative journalists remain cautious in their enthusiasm. They point out that the declassification process could take many months due to bureaucratic obstacles. Many questions still remain unanswered, particularly regarding the role played by General Alfonso Armada. Expectations are centered on identifying the so-called 'White Elephant' – the alleged mastermind of the coup, whose identity was never formally confirmed in court. „La clave del 23-F sigue estando en el sumario judicial: „Es la base”. Acceder a él y al resto de documentos desclasificados es esencial para arrojar luz sobre un episodio que muchos aún conservan muy vivo en la memoria.” (The key to 23-F still lies in the judicial summary: 'It is the foundation.' Accessing it and the rest of the declassified documents is essential to shed light on an episode that many still keep very much alive in their memory.) — Pedro Cuartango

Mentioned People

  • Antonio Tejero — Lieutenant Colonel of the Civil Guard who led the attack on the Congress of Deputies.
  • Juan Carlos I — Former King of Spain, whose role in stopping the coup is subject to debate.
  • Javier Cercas — Writer, author of the book 'Anatomy of a Moment' analyzing the coup second by second.