Antonio Tejero, Leader of Spain's 1981 Failed Coup, Dies at 93

Antonio Tejero, the Spanish lieutenant colonel who led a failed military coup in 1981 aiming to reverse Spain's transition to democracy after Franco's death, died at 93 in Alzira, Valencia. During the 18-hour coup attempt, Tejero and armed civil guards held parliamentarians hostage, interrupting the swearing-in of a new government. The coup was thwarted after King Juan Carlos I publicly condemned it, reinforcing Spain's democratic constitution. Tejero served over 15 years in prison before his release.