The story of Captain Gil Sanchez-Valiente Portillo has returned to the spotlight following the release of new information about the events of February 23, 1981. For Spain, this episode became a symbol not only of political instability, but also of the complicated relationship between the security forces and the government. Questions about how the officer managed to escape abroad with important documents still spark debate among experts and ordinary citizens.
Disappearance after the coup
Shortly after the failed military coup, the Civil Guard captain vanished from public view. According to El Pais, he was seen in the Congress building on the day of the attempted takeover, where he met with Antonio Tejero. The very next day, his trail goes cold—Sanchez-Valiente leaves Madrid and begins his journey across Europe. Rumors soon appeared in the press claiming that he had taken documents linked to the coup’s organization. One participant claimed to have seen the captain leaving parliament holding a small object.
Secret reports declassified in 2026 shed light on the details of his escape. One describes how Sanchez-Valiente withdrew all his savings in advance and purchased tickets to Barcelona. He then hid with acquaintances before moving on to Andorra, Germany, Argentina, Mexico, and Italy. In Rome, he confided his thoughts to trusted people, saying he had not believed in the success of the coup and had not counted on support from King Juan Carlos I.
Documents and rumors
Intelligence reports indicate that the captain was aware of the coup plans several days before the events, thanks to close contacts with Tejero. His task was to bring a special unit from Escorial to Congress, but he arrived late and joined the others already inside the building. According to him, he would not have participated had he not known who else was involved in the operation and had he not been sure that it was backed by high-ranking military officials and possibly the monarch himself.
Another report states that after the coup failed, Sánchez-Valiente felt the net closing in and decided to leave Europe. He used an Argentine passport, which, according to intelligence data, his brother in Rome helped him obtain. At that time, his family was in London, but the captain himself avoided traveling to the UK, fearing surveillance by local authorities and pressure from his wife’s relatives.
Return and consequences
In 1987, Sánchez-Valiente returned to Spain from the United States. He was arrested and placed in pre-trial detention on charges of unauthorized absence from service. The court sentenced him to two years in prison; however, no evidence of his direct involvement in organizing the coup was found. As reported by El País, the captain consistently denied removing any documents from Congress and claimed he left the country solely for personal reasons.
The disappearance and return of Sánchez-Valiente continues to intrigue historians and journalists. In 2018, journalists from La Sexta managed to track him down, where he again asserted that he did not possess any classified documents. Whether he truly had compromising information remains an open question.
Parallels and context
Scandals involving information leaks and the flight of officials are not uncommon in Spain. For instance, in recent history, the country saw a case where major political parties refused to support the monarchy’s anniversary, leading to a significant political crisis. You can learn more about the reasons behind this boycott and its consequences in the article about the boycott of the monarchical celebrations in Congress.
The events of 23-F and the investigations that followed continue to shape the perception of the military and intelligence agencies in modern Spain. The release of new documents fuels interest in the details of those days and prompts a reassessment of established views on the causes and consequences of the attempted coup. Questions regarding the transparency of security agencies and the accountability of those involved in such events remain highly relevant in Spanish society.
In recent years, Spain has faced several high-profile cases in which former military officials or civil servants tried to flee abroad following scandals or investigations. Each such episode sparks a strong public reaction and prompts debates about reforms in the security system and oversight of government institutions. The release of new information in the 23-F case has once again highlighted the importance of transparency and trust between citizens and the authorities.
