Former Spanish PM Zapatero investigated for corruption in Plus Ultra bailout scandal.
Story Timeline
3 months · 11 summary articles
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain’s former Prime Minister (2004–2011), is at the center of a judicial investigation into allegations of influence peddling, money laundering, and corruption linked to the state bailout of the Venezuelan airline Plus Ultra. The Audiencia Nacional (Spain’s high court) has identified Zapatero as the "strategic leader" of a "stable and hierarchical structure" designed to secure illicit benefits, including the €53 million government rescue of Plus Ultra in 2025 .
Judicial documents reveal that Zapatero allegedly orchestrated the bailout by leveraging his political connections, bypassing then-Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos to expedite the process. A key figure in the scheme, Julio Martínez (described as Zapatero’s "lacayo" or lackey), reportedly leaked privileged information to Plus Ultra executives four days before the official approval of the rescue, confirming Zapatero’s direct involvement in the decision-making . Court records quote Plus Ultra’s owners stating, *"Podemos pedir ayuda a Zapatero; vamos a follar aunque tengamos que pagar un poquitín"* ("We can ask Zapatero for help; we’ll get it done even if we have to pay a little"), underscoring his perceived influence .
Zapatero’s daughters, Laura and Alba, are also implicated in the scandal. The Unidad de Delincuencia Económica y Fiscal (UDEF) confirmed they received over €1 million for "low-value work", such as packaging reports that were already deemed worthless. Zapatero was authorized to access the accounts where his daughters were paid, raising further suspicions of nepotism and financial impropriety .
The Audiencia Nacional delayed Zapatero’s formal indictment by six days to avoid influencing the Andalusian regional elections, delivering the case files to the court only after the vote. The delay has fueled criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the judiciary of political interference . Zapatero has denied all wrongdoing, calling the allegations "completely false", while Spain’s right-wing parties have used the scandal to attack Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, alleging systemic corruption within the Socialist Party (PSOE) .
The investigation highlights a three-tiered network of collaborators, including secretaries, intermediaries, and shareholders, all allegedly coordinated by Zapatero to facilitate corrupt deals . The case remains ongoing, with Zapatero’s legal team expected to challenge the charges.
Follow us for live European news
Articles
El pelotazo de las nepobabies de Zapatero: sus hijas cobraron un millón por trabajos sin valor técnico La UDEF certifica que Laura y Alba sólo empaquetaban informes que ya de por sí no valían lo que se pagaba por ellos. Zapatero incluso estaba autorizado en las cuentas en que ellas cobraban Leer
elmundo · 3 months ago
Secretarias, lacayos y accionistas: las piezas clave de una red jerarquizada en tres niveles La resolución judicial sitúa a los protagonistas de la trama de tráfico de influencias con Zapatero al frente y un claro reparto de tareas entre el resto de integrantes Leer
elmundo · 3 months ago
La Audiencia retrasó seis días la imputación de Zapatero para no interferir en las elecciones andaluzas La UDEF entregó el pasado miércoles el atestado que sustenta la citación como investigado del ex presidente del Gobierno Leer
elmundo · 3 months ago
El juez sitúa a Zapatero como el vértice de la trama corrupta y destaca su liderazgo estratégico La Audiencia Nacional ubica al ex presidente del Gobierno al frente de una estructura estable y jerarquizada de tráfico de influencias para la obtención de beneficios Leer
elmundo · 3 months ago
El lacayo de Zapatero le avanzó a Plus Ultra la aprobación del rescate 4 días antes de que Aagesen y otros cargos lo aprobaran El juez resalta la información privilegiada que dio Julio Martínez y menciona una reunión del ex presidente del Gobierno con José Luis Escrivá Leer
elmundo · 3 months ago
Zapatero se impuso a Ábalos como vía rápida para el rescate: Camilo estuvo hoy con ZP y todo va viento en popa El auto avanzado por EL MUNDO da cuenta de cómo el ex secretario general del PSOE colaboró para que el Gobierno de Pedro Sánchez diera una ayuda de 53 millones de euros a la aerolínea venezolana Leer
elmundo · 3 months ago
Spain: former Prime Minister Zapatero on trial for money laundering and influence peddling The name of the Socialist Prime Minister from 2004 to 2011 has come under scrutiny in the investigation into the controversial state bailout of the airline Plus Ultra. He defends himself, saying: It is completely false. Meanwhile, the right is seizing the opportunity to attack Sánchez
eunews.it · 3 months ago
Zapatero, Spains Former Leader, Investigated for Graft José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who led Spain from 2004 to 2011, is accused of influence peddling after he left office. He has denied wrongdoing.
new york times · 3 months ago
Amministrative, 28 gli impresentabili alle prossime elezioni La lista diffusa dalla commissione parlamentare antimafia. I reati vanno dalla bancarotta fraudolenta allestorsione aggravata; dal riciclaggio al traffico illecito di rifiuti
corriere · 3 months ago
Los dueños de Plus Ultra, según el auto de imputación: Podemos pedir ayuda a Zapatero; vamos a follar aunque tengamos que pagar un poquitín El magistrado Calama dicta un auto de 85 páginas donde desvela la actuación de la red de corrupción integrada por el ex presidente del Gobierno Leer
elmundo · 3 months ago
Beihilfe zum Einschleusen: Politiker vergab Scheinadressen für Aufenthaltstitel Ein Frankfurter Kommunalpolitiker ist wegen der Beihilfe zum Einschleusen von Ausländern angeklagt. Der ehemalige Kandidat der Wahlliste von Peter Feldmann wird noch im Gerichtssaal festgenommen.
faz · 3 months ago
Doi medici din Câmpulung Moldovenesc, acuzați de mită în formă continuată. Unul ar fi primit bani de la zeci de pacienți Doi medici de la Spitalul Municipal Câmpulung Moldovenesc au fost reținuți pentru 24 de ore, fiind cercetați într-un dosar de corupție instrumentat de Parchetul de pe lângă Tribunalul Suceava.
adevarul · 3 months ago