The group emerged at a time of factionism within the
Carlist movement. Historically Carlism was a
traditionalist,
legitimist and Catholic movement, supporting a different monarchical line to the one occupying the
Spanish throne. Under the leadership of
Carlos Hugo, the group began to support a left-wing, social democrat ideology under the banner of the
Carlist Party. This caused large-scale conflict within the movement; many proclaimed his more traditionalist-minded brother,
Sixtus Henry, as Carlist regent. Probably the most notable incident involving the group was the
Montejurra massacre of 1976, which happened during the annual Carlist pilgrimage to the
Montejurra mountain in
Navarre. During this attack, two supporters of the Carlos Hugo faction (Ricardo García Pellejero and Aniano Jiménez Santo) were killed.
José Luis Marín García Verde and
Hermenegildo García Llorente, alleged members of this armed group, were arrested later, but were later released without investigation as
Manuel Fraga (Member of
Franco's political board) gave direct instructions not to prosecute these murders. The presence of known European Fascist criminals, active in organisations such as
Batallón Vasco Español or
Alianza Apostólica Anticomunista and
Italy in this has led to some speculating a link to the
Cold War-era
Operation Gladio. ==Attacks==