Warriors of Christ the King facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Warriors of Christ the King |
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|---|---|
| Guerrilleros de Cristo Rey (Spanish) | |
| Leader(s) | Mariano Sánchez Covisa |
| Dates of operation | c. 1968 – c. 1980 |
| Motives | Opposition to separatism, communism, secularism and democracy |
| Active regions |  Spain (Basque Country, Madrid) |
| Ideology | Traditionalism Spanish nationalism National Catholicism Catholic fundamentalism Neo-fascism |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Notable attacks | Montejurra massacre |
| Status | Inactive |
| Size | Unknown |
| Allies | Batallón Vasco Español Alianza Apostólica Anticomunista Grupos Armados Españoles Acción Nacional Española Antiterrorismo ETA |
| Opponents | Carlist Party (1970) Basque National Liberation Movement
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The Guerrilleros de Cristo Rey (which means Warriors of Christ the King in English) was a far-right group. It was active in Spain during the late 1970s. This group was mostly found in the Basque Country, Madrid, and Navarre. They were a paramilitary organization, meaning they acted like a military group but were not part of the official army.
History of the Warriors
The group appeared when there were disagreements within a political movement called Carlist movement. Historically, the Carlists were a traditional group. They supported a different royal family line for the Spanish throne. They also believed strongly in Catholic traditions.
Over time, some parts of the Carlist movement changed their ideas. One leader, Carlos Hugo, started supporting more left-wing ideas. This caused big arguments within the movement. Many traditional Carlists did not agree with these changes. They supported Carlos Hugo's brother, Sixtus Henry, instead.
The Montejurra Incident
A very important event involving the group was the Montejurra massacre in 1976. This happened during an annual gathering at the Montejurra mountain. During this event, two supporters of Carlos Hugo's group were killed. These were Ricardo García Pellejero and Aniano Jiménez Santo. Members of the Warriors of Christ the King were linked to this violent incident.
Actions and Attacks
The Warriors of Christ the King were involved in several attacks. These actions often targeted people or groups they disagreed with. They opposed ideas like separatism, communism, and democracy.
Here are some actions linked to the group:
- December 1970: Members of the group attacked several priests in Ondarroa. These priests were considered progressive, meaning they had modern views.
- January 1972: The group damaged the Beit Yaacov synagogue in Madrid. They spray-painted hateful messages on its walls.
- May 1973: Mariano Sánchez Covisa, who led the group, was arrested. He had attacked a religious gathering in Madrid.
- September 1976: The group killed Carlos González Martínez, a 21-year-old student. He was at a protest in Madrid. The protest honored people who had been put to death by the government before.
- January 1977: Members of the group killed Arturo Ruiz, a 19-year-old. He was a member of a youth political group in Madrid.
- August 1978: The group set fire to the office of a Basque magazine. The magazine was called Askatasuna. It supported Basque nationalist and anarchist ideas.
See also
In Spanish: Guerrilleros de Cristo Rey para niños
