The article recounts the frantic attempts of Carmen Díez Pereira, the wife of Antonio Tejero, to contact her husband during the failed coup attempt in Spain on February 23, 1981, expressing her feelings of abandonment by the military.
On the night of the failed coup attempt in Spain, Carmen Díez Pereira, the wife of Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero, experienced a deep sense of anxiety and frustration as she witnessed the lack of support from the military for her husband. In her calls to a friend, she expressed her disillusionment with the military, whom she felt had abandoned Tejero in his time of need, describing the situation as "leaving him thrown away like a cigarette butt." The emotional distress she conveyed underscores the complexity of personal and national loyalties during this tumultuous period in Spanish history.
Carmen's attempts to reach Tejero reflect a chaotic moment in which the coup's failure began to materialize. She lamented to her friends that the military, which was supposed to support the coup, had failed to do so, and she characterized the situation as one of betrayal. This personal perspective offers a glimpse into how individuals connected to the coup leaders reacted when the momentum of their plan crumbled. Her comments also highlight the discontent and disillusionment some within the military faced regarding the execution and aftermath of the coup.
The article not only sheds light on the personal turmoil experienced by Tejero's wife but also provides insights into the broader failure of the coup attempt, which was partly attributed to the failure to secure the allegiance of key military figures. It indicates the role of King Juan Carlos I in averting the coup by maintaining his position and not siding with the coup plotters, a factor that the conspirators themselves acknowledged led to their failure. This historic event continues to be a poignant memory in Spain's transition to democracy, illustrating the interplay of personal stories and national events during critical moments.
