Giulio Andreotti

Giulio Andreotti

Giulio Andreotti, a prominent Italian politician and multiple-term Prime Minister (1972–1973, 1976–1979, 1989–1992), was a central figure in the exposure of Operation Gladio. As a leading Christian Democrat, he was deeply embedded in Italy’s political and intelligence circles during the Cold War. In October 1990, as Prime Minister, Andreotti publicly acknowledged Gladio’s existence to the Italian Parliament, describing it as a NATO-backed “stay-behind” network created to counter a potential Soviet invasion. He claimed it was scaled down and denied its involvement in terrorism, despite evidence linking Gladio to Italy’s “strategy of tension” (e.g., the 1980 Bologna bombing). Andreotti’s ties to the Propaganda 2 (P2) Masonic lodge, led by Gladio-affiliated Licio Gelli, raised suspicions of his complicity in covering up Gladio’s illicit activities, including coups and false flag attacks. His 1990 disclosure, prompted by magistrate Felice Casson’s investigation, aimed to control the narrative but fueled public controversy.