Antonio Tejero Molina, 93, Dies; Spanish Colonel Led Failed Coup

Antonio Tejero Molina, a Spanish Colonel, died at the age of 93. He is most known for leading a failed coup d'état on February 23, 1981, in Spain. During the attempted coup, Tejero Molina and his forces held the Spanish Parliament hostage for 18 hours. He ultimately surrendered after realizing he lacked sufficient support from the country's armed forces. The coup attempt occurred as Spain was transitioning to democracy following the Franco dictatorship. Tejero Molina's actions were aimed at halting this democratic transition, but they ultimately proved unsuccessful.