He was a leading figure of the 1936 coup d'état in Zaragoza and sided with the Nationalist faction during the Spanish Civil War.

In August 1921 he participated in the reconquest of the surroundings of Melilla, occupied by rebel Rifian forces after the Battle of Annual.

Miguel Primo de Rivera permitted him to go into the reserves in 1926, which led him to participate in a revolt frustrated in 1929.

Later he was named commander of the troops in Morocco and, after the events of Castilblanco and Arnedo, replaced José Sanjurjo in the main directorate of the Civil Guard.

Due to his seniority, he was president of the National Defense Junta that on 21 September 1936 proclaimed Francisco Franco head of government and Generalissimo – though Cabanellas was the only one who dissented to this choice.