Lucio Urtubia (1931 - 2020)

Wed Feb 18, 1931

Image

Lucio Urtubia Jiménez was an anarchist from Spain known for his practice of expropriative anarchism through forgery and anti-fascist direct action.

Lucio was born in Cascante, Navarre, Spain on February 18th, 1931. As a young man, he served in the Spanish military, but deserted, fleeing to France in 1954 after ransacking a warehouse that belonged to his company.

After moving to Paris, Urtubia was asked to hide a member of the Maquis, Spanish guerrillas who opposed Franco from exile, in his house. The refugee in this case turned out to be legendary anti-fascist Francesc Sabaté Llopart, one of the two Sabaté brothers.

Urtubia’s anti-fascist actions continued as he learned how to forge government documents and currency, using these skills to aid left-wing movements around the world. One of the most dramatic examples took place in 1977, when he forged $20 million dollars worth of Citibank traveler’s checks, money which went to aid left-wing guerillas in Latin America.

“We are bricklayers, painters, electricians - we do not need the state for anything. The banks are the real crooks. They exploit you, take your money and cause all the wars.”

- Lucio Urtubia