On December 20, a historical anniversary marks the assassination of Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, a pivotal moment in Francoist Spain. He was killed in an ETA attack while performing his duties as head of government in 1973. The event sent shockwaves through the regime, sparking debates about state security, investigative failures, and the handling of documents. A new three‑part documentary series from Movistar Plus+ dives into the darker facets of the case, opening this Tuesday, December 5, and it unfolds with a cinematic, spy‑mystery cadence. The series frames Carrero Blanco’s death as a national episode that continues to fuel discussion in Spain as well as in international dialogues over JFK’s assassination in the United States.
Produced by 100 Balas, a key unit of The Mediapro Studio, the project combines interviews, dramatized reenactments, and archival material. It presents competing theories about the case. One view argues that the attackers could not have acted without inside help, while another suggests Carrero Blanco was an obstacle to many political actors. Several interviewees, including investigative journalists, allege that those behind the attack enjoyed protection. Voices include Tim Weiner, noted journalist; former ETA members and ex‑CIS officers; former Interior minister Rodolfo Martín Villa; Carrero Blanco’s grandson; historians; and Mikel Lejarza, known as Wolf, the figure who infiltrated ETA. A daughter’s voice was heard recalling that everyone wanted Carrero Blanco dead after he sought to reform systems and then faced backlash.
One contributor reflects on the persistent sense of unfinished business surrounding the case. The speaker notes that many discoveries reveal a pattern of errors and urges that these missteps might conceal an underlying interest. This perspective comes from Eulogio Romero, a screenwriter, director, and executive producer involved in the documentary project Killing the President. His viewpoint anchors the exploration of why truth has remained elusive for decades.
Footage from a reenactment within the documentary series is shown in promotion stills. Movistar Plus+ accompanies the release with visual material that highlights the drama and investigative questions surrounding the crime.
A voice in the interviews wonders why, after five decades, some witnesses remain reluctant to speak. The silence surrounding the attack remains striking, and the question persists about who benefits from that silence and whom fear still binds. The discussion considers ETA’s restraint and the broader implications for accountability.
From internal conspiracy to international implications
Among the documentary’s explored theories is a possible conspiracy within the regime and doubts about the involvement of foreign interests, including the CIA and US considerations in Spain’s future. The producer emphasizes that the viewer is invited to draw their own conclusions, as many theories remain unproven. Alejandro Florez notes that the project presents multiple angles while encouraging critical analysis.
Promotional material features footage and commentary about the individuals who operated behind the scenes during that era. The program questions how investigators, with limited technical knowledge of explosives and tunnel work, could have executed such a carefully planned operation in a restricted urban setting and then evaded detention as the case evolved.
Full access to the summary contents
The project makes the summary materials surrounding the Carrero Blanco case accessible for the first time in years. The producer explains that prior access had been limited by judicial controls, but recent permissions allow a more complete view. While essential data is now obtainable, some gaps persist due to historical and investigative constraints. The filmmakers acknowledge these omissions but emphasize the documentary’s commitment to shedding light on the most consequential aspects of the assassination while encouraging ongoing research.