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What changes the documents of the coup d'état?

The declassification of the papers on 23 February has had a great impact, even though the forecasts have not been met. The historian Josu Chueca has analysed the extent to which the narrative of the coup d'état changes.

MADRID, 25/02/2026.- Fotografía de archivo tomada el 23/02/1981 del exteniente coronel de la Guardia Civil Antonio Tejero, que protagonizó la intentona de golpe de Estado el 23F, y que ha fallecido este miércoles a los 93 años, ha confirmado a EFE el despacho de abogados que representa a su familia. EFE/ARCHIVO/Manuel H. de León

Antonio Tejero, attempted coup d'état.

The declassification of the documents relating to the attempted coup d'état has caused a great deal of dust this week, even if the forecasts have not finally been met.

The documents, however, have fueled some doubts about the conduct of Juan Carlos I. According to one document, he met with military coup fighters before the start of the judicial process to prevent the trial from damaging the Royal House. Suspicions have also multiplied about the role played by the intelligence services: at least six CESID personnel participated in the coup, as evidenced by declassified documents.

The historian Josu Chueca reflects on the consequences of declassification and makes it clear that the decision must pave the way for the declassification of information about other episodes of the Transition.

"There are many things that need to be clarified: the Sanfermines of 78, the March 3 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the events of Montejurra of 1976, which should also be declassified. And what we've seen this week should make way. Why not?"

General Account

For the Navarre historian, it is "too early" to determine how the account of the attempted coup changes.

"It seems that the main lines of the main narrative that we've had so far have been strengthened, at least some important media outlets have gone that way, but I think it takes time to deepen the documentation and draw conclusions, "Chueca said.

The King's Conduct

For the UPV doctor, the basis of this "main narrative" is directly related to the conduct of Juan Carlos I. The documentation of the secret services has shown that the King did not authorize the General Army to go to the Zarzuela Palace around 7 p.m. Likewise, the head of the Royal House, Sabino Fernández Campo, placed clear restrictions on the rebel military during the afternoon, according to the documents.

Chueca said that Fernandez Campo's influencewas important: "I think his judgment was important for Juan Carlos I to see that he could not support the coup; to remember, for example, what happened to Alfonso XIII a few years after he supported the coup of Primo de Rivera.

In any case, in the historian's view, doubts have not been cleared about the role played by the emeritus king before the coup: "It seems that before the coup he had information about what was moving in the context of the military. He had very close military personnel, even some of the rebels. The General Army was close to him. And he had empathy for them.

documento desclasificado 23F desklasifikatutako dokumentua O23

One of the declassified documents.

The role of the intelligence services

Chueca also sees many doubts about the involvement of CESID, the main intelligence service in Spain. It has become clear that some agents participated "actively".

A declassified document has revealed that "either they had prior knowledge of the coup d'état, or they planned the operational aid that was then carried out, and then they tried to cover it up."

"However, what has not been made clear is the involvement of high-level agents. There are still many shadows there. Were only those six agents involved? Has all the information on this been declassified? "he asked.

The fragile environment of the Transition

Finally, Chueca believes that the documents have exposed the turbulent and fragile climate of the transitionand the weight of the national issue.

"In the barracks there was a very critical atmosphere towards Suarez and the Transition in general. The King knew it. And the issue of nationalities was of great importance at the time. It was impossible for such a coup d'état in the European context to succeed and return to Francoism, and that was why alternatives such as the army plan arose: a government of concentration with the right, with some socialists and the military. It did not take place, but the coup had consequences, especially in terms of nationalities.

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