The Republican general who overthrew Negrín to negotiate peace with Franco, and got only unconditional surrender
On the night of 5 March 1939, Casado went before a radio microphone, declared the Negrín government was preparing a Communist dictatorship and that only his National Defence Council could deliver an honourable peace. In Madrid, street fighting began at once.
A cavalry officer of the Spanish Republican Army who stayed loyal after the rising of July 1936, rose through operations and training posts to command of the Army of the Centre, and became convinced the war was already lost. On 5 March 1939 he staged a coup in Madrid, overthrew the Negrín government and set up a National Defence Council under General Miaja, claiming to forestall a Communist takeover while seeking a negotiated peace with Franco. Franco demanded unconditional surrender, the talks collapsed, and Casado escaped aboard a British warship, living in exile in Britain and Venezuela before returning to Spain in 1961.
Activities and affiliations
Career Timeline
- 1893Born in Nava de la Asunción, Segovia
- 1907–1911Graduated from the Cavalry Academy in Valladolid, commissioned as segundo teniente
- 1920–1935Served as a cavalry officer, completed staff training, fought in Morocco, commanded the presidential guard
- 1936–1937Head of operations, director of the staff school, organized mixed brigades, inspector general of cavalry
- 1938.05Appointed commander of the Army of the Centre, promoted to colonel
- 1939.03.05–12Led the coup against the Negrín government, served as defence councillor in the National Defence Council
- 1939–1961Lived in exile in Britain and Venezuela, worked as a BBC commentator and for Nestlé
- 1961–1968Returned to Spain, tried and acquitted of military rebellion, died of a heart attack in Madrid
Related historical events
The 1939 coup and the final negotiations
In 1938, Casado grew doubtful of the Negrín government’s strategy of continuing the war. He concluded that the war was already lost and further resistance would bring only needless suffering and destruction. He accused Communists of prolonging the war to serve Soviet interests. In early 1939 he began secret peace contacts with the Nationalists, gaining support from parts of the military command, Socialists, and Anarchists. On 5 March, the anti-Negrín conspirators declared the formation of the National Defence Council, presenting it as a measure to forestall a Communist dictatorship. Casado served as its councillor for defence; fighting in Madrid between forces loyal to the Council and Communist-aligned units continued until 11 March. Under the Council’s rule, some Communist leaders were sentenced to death and executed.
Casado and the Council continued negotiations with the Nationalists. He sought a staged surrender, evacuation for those wishing to leave, and assurances against postwar political repression, but Franco’s side demanded immediate, unconditional surrender. The negotiations failed, and on 26 March the Council ordered resistance to cease. Casado left Spain aboard a British warship from Gandia on 29 March.