Spain Declassifies 1981 Coup Files to Counter Conspiracy Theories

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The Spanish government has declassified hundreds of previously sealed government files relating to the 1981 attempted coup, known as 23‑F, in a bid to shed light on one of the most controversial episodes in modern Spanish history and counter persistent conspiracy theories about what actually occurred.

On 23 February 1981, Lieutenant‑Colonel Antonio Tejero and armed civil guards stormed the Spanish Congress of Deputies in Madrid in an effort to overthrow the fledgling democratic government. King Juan Carlos I famously appeared on national television denouncing the coup attempt, a moment widely credited with helping to preserve Spain’s young democracy following the end of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship in 1975.

Despite the event’s central place in Spanish political memory, decades of speculation have surrounded aspects of 23‑F — particularly the motives of key figures, the degree of coordination, and the role of the military and political elites. Conspiracy theories have suggested covert involvement by factions within the government, intelligence services, or foreign powers, theories that have long persisted in public discourse and social media.

In an effort to promote transparency and historical clarity, the Ministry of the Presidency announced that it is releasing a large tranche of archival documents, including previously classified intelligence reports, internal government correspondence, and military communications from the period surrounding the coup attempt. The release also includes declassified testimony and memos from political and military officials who witnessed or were involved in the response.

Officials said the aim is to allow historians, journalists and the public to analyze primary sources directly rather than rely on secondary accounts or unverified narratives. Government archivists and historians will work with the newly declassified materials to produce contextual notes and timelines designed to assist researchers in interpreting the files accurately.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the decision reflects “a commitment to democratic transparency” and the belief that “an informed public is the best defense against misinformation and distortion of history.” He noted that unlocking the archives does not imply that previous historical interpretations were flawed, but gives scholars and citizens alike the opportunity to see original sources that were once hidden behind security classifications.

Historians welcomed the move while cautioning that the files may not settle all debates about 23‑F. Professor María González of the Complutense University of Madrid said, “These documents provide valuable insight into official decision‑making at the time, but they must be read critically and in context. History isn’t written by a single file.”

Critics of the release expressed concern that selective declassification could still leave gaps, and called on future administrations to commit to full transparency. Some opposition politicians and commentators argued that additional archives, including those held by military and intelligence agencies, should also be opened to public scrutiny to provide a more complete picture.

Public interest in the 23‑F declassification is significant, with archivists reporting a surge in research requests from academics, students, and media organisations. The effort comes amid broader debates in Europe and beyond over how democracies manage and disclose records related to crises, coups and authoritarian threats.

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