Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead– But not dead enough

“Our worst enemies here are not the ignorant and the simple, however cruel; our worst enemies are the intelligent and corrupt.” –Graham Greene

The death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco ON November 20, 1975, followed weeks-long media reports of the impending demise of the fascist dictator, who defeated Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War with significant military aid from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

Following Franco’s death, Chevy Chase, host of NBC’s Saturday Night’s comedic news segment Weekend Update, announced Franco’s death and read a statement from former president Richard Nixon: “General Franco was a loyal friend and ally of the United States. He earned worldwide respect for Spain through firmness and fairness.” As an ironic counterpoint, a picture displayed behind Chase, showed Franco giving the Roman salute alongside Adolf Hitler.

In subsequent weeks, Chase developed the joke into a parody of the earlier news coverage of Franco’s illness, treating his death as the top story. “This breaking news just in”, Chase would announce – “Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead!”

During the Spanish Civil War, Franco commanded Spain’s African colonial army plus German U-boats, the German air force Condor Legion, and the Corpo Truppe Volontarie (Italian troops) and later, following the deaths of much of the rebel leadership, became his faction’s only leader, being appointed generalissimo and head of state in 1936.

He consolidated all nationalist parties into the FET y de las JONS, creating a one-party state. He developed a cult of personality around his rule by founding the Movimiento Nacional.

Three years later the Nationalists declared victory, which extended Franco’s dictatorship over Spain through a period of repression of political opponents.

His dictatorship’s use of forced labor, concentration camps, and executions led to between 30,000 and 50,000 deaths.[14] Combined with wartime killings, this brings the death toll of the White Terror to between 100,000 and 200,000.

During World War II, he formally maintained Spanish neutrality —keeping Spain uninvaded— but supported the Axis in repayment to Italy and Germany for their support during the Civil War—damaging the country’s international reputation in various ways.

The aged Franco fell ill from various health problems in 1974. A year later he fell ill again, afflicted with further health problems, including a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Franco’s last public appearance was on October 1, 1975 when, despite his gaunt and frail appearance, he gave a speech to crowds from the balcony at the Royal Palace of Madrid, warning the people that there was a “Masonic, Leftist and Communist conspiracy against Spain.” On 30 October 1975 he fell into a coma and was put on life support. Franco’s family agreed to disconnect the life-support machines.