CARRERO BLANCO, LUIS

looēsˈ kär-rāˈrō blängˈkō, 1903–73, Spanish statesman and naval officer. Following the Spanish civil war, during which he served in the Nationalist navy, he became chief of naval operations on the admiralty staff and one of Francisco Franco's intimate collaborators. In 1951 he was appointed ministerial undersecretary in charge of coordinating the policies of the separate ministries. Made vice admiral (1963) and admiral (1966), Carrero Blanco increasingly controlled government affairs as vice premier (1967–73). In June, 1973, when Franco separated the duties of chief of state and head of government, Carrero Blanco became premier. Since he had been influential in developing contacts with monarchist groups, his appointment was generally regarded as a step toward Franco's planned restoration of the monarchy under Juan Carlos. In Dec., 1973, he was assassinated in Madrid, apparently by Basque nationalists, in retaliation for the government's execution of Basque militants.

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