Former Prime Minister of Spain, Zapatero, is indicted for laundering Plus Ultra funds
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, former prime minister of Espanha, became the target of formal accusation for criminal organization, influence peddling and forgery of documents. Judge José Luis Calama, from the 4th Vara of Instrução of Tribunal Nacional, indicted the politician in connection with an investigation into the laundering of 53 million euros in public funds allocated to the airline Plus Ultra after the pandemic. Essa is the first time in Spanish democratic history that a former prime minister has faced corruption charges. Zapatero held the position of Prime Minister between 2004 and 2011 and still exerts influence on Partido Socialista Operário Espanhol’s political structures. The former leader’s testimony is scheduled for June 2 before the judge responsible for the procedural investigation.
Unidade of Crimes Econômicos and Fiscais (UDEF) of Polícia Nacional carried out an operation this Tuesday against Zapatero. Agentes sought his office located on Ferraz Street, in Madri, in addition to the facilities of his daughters’ company, What the Fav, and the company Inteligencia Prospectiva SL, controlled by a Venezuelan family. The researchers also requested information from public entities such as SEPI (Empresa Estatal from Participações Industriais). The action represents a significant escalation in the investigation initiated in 2024 by Ministério Público, following requests for information from Suíça and França related to suspicions of money laundering in these countries.
The Análisis Relevante scam and suspicious payments
At the center of the investigation is the company Análisis Relevante SL, created in February 2020 by Julio Martínez Martínez and Sergio Sánchez. The consultancy received approximately 460 thousand euros from Plus Ultra over five years, according to sources at the airline. Zapatero admitted to having received a similar amount from the same company, exceeding 400 thousand euros in the same period. The former prime minister justified the payments as remuneration for consultancy work provided to various companies. Ele also stated that he suggested that his daughters’ marketing company take care of the layout of the consultancy reports generated by this professional activity.
Julio Martínez Martínez is described as a personal friend of Zapatero for years and with whom he had business interests. Segundo investigators, Martínez acted as an intermediary between Plus Ultra and the former prime minister. The company Análisis Relevante operated under the explanation that Martínez acted as a “facilitator” in the airline’s operations at Venezuela, responsible for tasks such as obtaining fuel, managing debts and obtaining flight authorizations. Essa narrative faced questions from investigators who suspect the true purpose of the payments made.
Análisis Relevante’s corporate structure revealed an additional layer of complexity. Sergio Sánchez, who held a 25% stake in the company, is a former employee of CNI (Centro Nacional of Inteligencia) and executive of Movistar+. Sánchez serves as Paz’s right-hand man Javier, top executive of Telefónica, and personal friend of Zapatero. Segundo sources familiar with the company’s beginnings, the four men (Martínez, De Paz, Sánchez and Zapatero) agreed to the creation of the consultancy, but only Martínez and Sánchez were officially registered in the company’s structure. Essa’s omission of names from the documentation raised suspicions about the intention to conceal the true participation of Zapatero and De Paz in the enterprise.
Contratos with commission clause worsens legal situation
Documento The contract between Plus Ultra and Julio Martínez Martínez provides for a 1% commission clause for the businessman if the government grants a ransom of 53 million euros. Esse contract exists, was signed and is currently found on computers seized by UDEF during operations at Martínez’s offices. Investigadores legal officials state that this provision constitutes a clear attempt to influence the government decision-making process and represents the crime of active corruption. The existence of the contract reinforces the accusatory theory that the payments were not legitimate remuneration for services provided, but rather disguised cohecho.
Zapatero has always denied any pressure or participation in guaranteeing the ransom of 53 million euros for Plus Ultra. The former prime minister supported his defense in the statements given before the Senado investigation committee on all aspects of the “Koldo case”. Porém, the discovery of the contract with a commission clause undermines the credibility of this denial. Judge José Luis Calama ordered the revocation of the secrecy that had surrounded the case for months, now allowing information about the investigation to be released publicly and generating additional political pressure on Zapatero.
Amplo scope of investigation and people indicted
The investigation involves multiple people and entities. Entre indicted are Julio Martínez Sola, president of Plus Ultra; Roberto Roselli, CEO of the airline; Santiago Fernández Lena, company lawyer; another lawyer based in Madri; and Luis Felipe Baca, Peruvian banker. Todos shares connections to suspected money laundering operations. Ministério Público, headed by chief prosecutor Alejandro Luzón, has directed the investigation since 2024 and has maintained a systematic pursuit of financial leads leading to the former prime minister.
The operations carried out at the Zapatero office seek documentation that can prove the true nature of the payments received. Investigadores searches for contracts, correspondence, electronic messages and accounting records that demonstrate a relationship between money transfers and political influence. The search at the office of his daughters’ company, What the Fav, aims to verify whether the company actually provided the services described or whether it functioned as a vehicle for transferring resources in a disguised manner. Igualmente, the Inteligencia Prospectiva SL investigation seeks to elucidate money flows between the Venezuelan family Amaro Chacón, Plus Ultra and Zapatero.
Cronologia’s investigation and background
The case gained momentum when Polícia Nacional, on December 11, 2025, carried out an operation against Plus Ultra’s headquarters and arrested Julio Martínez and Roberto Roselli. Essa action marked first capture related to money laundering scandal. The case was brought to Tribunal of Instrução #15 of Madri in late 2025, after months of investigation by Ministério Público. The initial suspicions arose from requests for information made by Suíça and França, alerting Spanish authorities about the possible movement of illicit values in these countries connected to Plus Ultra and Espanha.
The political scenario amplified significantly when Zapatero’s participation became known. Nas In recent decades, Zapatero remained an influential figure behind Spanish political scenes despite not holding public office since 2011. Sua’s international reputation as a former democratic prime minister added weight to his later professional activities. The revelation that investigators consider him part of a criminal scheme involving public funds caused a political shock in Espanha. Parlamentares from different affiliations called for complete transparency about the case and appropriate punishment if the crimes investigated are proven.
Contexto international and external pressures
Requests for information made by Suíça and França indicate that foreign investigators have identified suspicious movements of money in their jurisdictions linked to the Plus Ultra case. Essa international dimension transforms the issue into a matter of judicial cooperation between countries and potentially amplifies political repercussions. Swiss and French authorities possibly have data on bank accounts, international transfers and operations that could reinforce accusations against Zapatero and other defendants. Caso such information is formally shared with the Spanish court, it could constitute decisive evidence to prove the accusations.
Plus Ultra formed an airline that received extraordinary government support during the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The rescue of 53 million euros was justified as a necessary measure to maintain a company considered important for the Spanish economy. Porém, investigators suspect that the amount transferred was diverted through a fictitious consultancy scheme involving Zapatero and Martínez. The connection with Venezuela, a country under international sanctions and with a history of questionable financial operations, raised additional alert about possible involvement in money laundering.
Implicações for Spanish democracy
The indictment of Zapatero represents a significant historical moment for Spanish democratic institutions. Anteriormente, former presidents faced investigations, but none had been formally accused of corruption crimes of this magnitude during democratic exercise. Essa situation demonstrates the functioning of the independent judicial system capable of investigating high-ranking political figures without special protections derived from the position previously held. Simultaneamente, questions the reliability of political leaders who exercised power over institutions now incriminated for embezzlement of public resources.
