The black anniversary of the 21 April 1967 coup in Greece serves as a reminder of where fascism and nationalism lead to
21 April 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
Today marks 59 years since the 21 April 1967 coup d’etat in Greece that brought the military junta to power. A day that left a deep mark on Greece, plunging it into the darkness of dictatorship, and on Cyprus too, drowning it in blood.
Today we do not forget all those who stood up against fascism. During the seven years of the Greek junta, hundreds of fighters for democracy were tortured and martyred in the hellholes of torture chambers and detention centres, imprisoned on barren islands, fighting in the Resistance against the fascist regime shedding their blood. We honor them because they kept democracy alive in its darkest moments.
Together with them, we honor our Cypriot compatriot Giorgos Tsikouris and his Italian partner Maria-Elena Angeloni, who gave their lives in September 1970 in the anti-junta struggle.
At the same time, this sombre anniversary reminds us that with the April coup, behind closed doors and with the backing of the U.S. and NATO, the foundations were laid for the partition of Cyprus. Methodically and without any hesitation, in collaboration with Grivas and EOKA B, the Republic of Cyprus was undermined, culminating in the coup d’etat of 15 July 1974, which paved the way for Operation Attila: to the Turkish invasion, to the uprooting of our people as refugees, to a divided homeland. The Greek junta may have collapsed a few days later, but it left Cyprus severely wounded by the barbed wires of the occupation.
Today’s anniversary is a stark reminder of where fascism, nationalism, and the empty rhetoric of “national-mindedness” lead to. The Greek junta’s crime committed against Cyprus will not be forgotten. And we must not allow it to culminate in the permanent partition of Cyprus.
We have a duty to continue fighting for a free and reunified Cyprus, for a just and viable solution based on the agreed framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as described in the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations, fora solution that restores peace and hope to our homeland.
On the occasion of this sombre anniversary, AKEL extends its greetings to the fraternal Greek people, with their history full of struggles and sacrifices for democracy and freedom. We stand resolutely against the far right and neo-fascism in Cyprus and throughout the world. We defend historical truth, democracy, human rights, social gains, and the values of solidarity.
