He participated in the failed 1926 Sanjuanada plot to overthrow the dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera and was sentenced to six years in prison in Montjuïc Castle.
He did not participate in the Second Battle of the Corunna Road (13-19 December) because the XI International Brigade supported all attacks at Boadilla del Monte.
On 30 March 1938 he left the leadership of the XXI Corps, to replace Sebastián Pozas Perea at the head of the Eastern Army, which was completely disorganized and in full disarray.
When the Nationalist Offensive against Catalonia was unleashed in December 1938, the units of his Army of the East showed great cohesion, but they finally had to give up their positions and undertake the withdrawal towards the north.
On 15 January 1939, he was promoted to Colonel, and crossed the French border at the beginning of February with the remains of his troops and thousands of fleeing civilians.