The president of Plus Ultra, Julio Martínez Sola, informed company executives during a private conversation on March 19, 2022, that former judge Manuel García-Castellón had volunteered to mediate on behalf of Plus Ultra’s legal and procedural interests regarding the political party Vox. This revelation came as part of internal discussions among the airline's leadership, including Chief Executive Officer Roberto Roselli, Financial Director Alejandro Delgado, and Secretary of the Board Santiago Fernández Lena. The meeting was set to take place on March 24, 2022, between García-Castellón and Santiago Abascal, then leader of Vox, which at the time was acting as a popular accuser in a case against Plus Ultra in a Madrid court.
Martínez Sola shared this information with his colleagues, emphasizing the need for discretion. He also mentioned that he would inform other stakeholders, specifically Rodolfo Reyes Rojas, who was then the largest shareholder of the company and is now wanted internationally, and Raif El Arigie, another prominent Venezuelan investor. The discussion aimed to strategize how to approach the situation without drawing attention to their involvement. Martínez Sola instructed each executive to contribute ideas, with Fernández Lena tasked with drafting the communication. The group agreed to create a dedicated chat for this matter.
At the time, Judge Esperanza Collazos of the Plaza de Castilla Court was investigating the controversial rescue of Plus Ultra, which received €53 million in aid in March 2021. The investigation included accusations against Plus Ultra, along with several high-profile figures such as Bartolomé Lora Toro, ex-Vice President of the SEPI, and government officials like Sara Aagesen, Ana de la Cueva, and Raúl Blanco. Vox, along with the Popular Party (PP) and Manos Limpias, were acting as the popular accusers in this case.
Following the initial strategy session, Alejandro Delgado emphasized the importance of political connections, suggesting meetings with both García-Castellón and Feijo. Fernández Lena focused on the legal aspects, noting that while politicians might avoid getting too involved, García-Castellón could help dispel misinformation surrounding the case. His goal was to ensure that the legal proceedings were archived without being appealed.
In late 2022, Martínez Sola asked Reyes Rojas to thank García-Castellón for his efforts with Bankinter, which resulted in the release of €3.7 million. According to intercepted communications obtained by police during searches related to the Plus Ultra case, Martínez Sola wrote to Reyes Rojas on November 18, 2022, asking him to convey gratitude to García-Castellón. Reyes Rojas responded positively, confirming that he had access to García-Castellón’s phone number under the name “Manolo Privé,” which had been previously shared by Martínez Sola.
Bankinter did not comment on these transactions but stated that any actions involving customer funds are based solely on technical criteria and internal protocols. Earlier in 2022, there were references to conversations with Bankinter officials, including Dolores Dancausa, then Chief Executive Officer of the bank. Martínez Sola mentioned that García-Castellón had facilitated a meeting with Dancausa, although the meeting reportedly did not occur.
García-Castellón, who was still active in the judiciary in 2022, presided over some of Spain’s most high-profile investigations, including cases related to corruption and organized crime. However, he faced significant setbacks later in his career, particularly after decisions made by the Penal Chamber of the National High Court. Despite his long tenure in the judiciary, García-Castellón retired in September 2024 due to mandatory retirement at age 72. His current professional address is listed as the headquarters of Plus Ultra in Madrid, where he continues to work as a lawyer.
These developments highlight the complex web of relationships and legal maneuverings that have surrounded Plus Ultra since its financial rescue in 2021. The interactions between company leaders, legal professionals, and political figures underscore the intricate dynamics at play within the ongoing legal battles involving the airline. As new information emerges, the roles and responsibilities of each party continue to evolve, shaping the trajectory of future legal and political outcomes.
4 reports
infoLibreIndependentLeftFactual 92Objective 655 days agoThe article reports that Julio Martínez Sola, president of Plus Ultra, revealed in a company chat that former judge Manuel García-Castellón offered to mediate on behalf of the airline during legal proceedings involving Vox. The mediation was intended to take place during a private dinner between García-Castellón and Vox leader Santiago Abascal. Martínez Sola shared this information with other executives, instructing them to keep the matter confidential and to prepare ideas for addressing the situation. At the time, the case involved multiple parties including Vox, the PP, and Manos Limpias acting as prosecutors, with several high-profile figures implicated in the controversial rescue of Plus Ultra.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the involvement of Vox and the potential influence of a former judge in legal matters related to a state-backed rescue as a significant issue. It highlights the connection between political actors and legal processes, suggesting a possible conflict of interest or undue influence.雖
Why these scores (Factual 92 · Objective 65): The article directly quotes messages from Julio Martínez Sola regarding García-Castellón’s offer to mediate with Vox, matching the primary source. While factual, it frames the interaction in a way that suggests a close personal relationship, potentially influencing perception rather than maintaining
infoLibreIndependentLeftFactual 88Objective 5519 hr. ago Plus Ultra not only sought favors from the Government, but also from the ultra-right media and the judicial rightThe article discusses an investigation into the rescue of the airline Plus Ultra, which received a 53 million euro bailout in 2021. The case involves allegations that former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero played a role in facilitating this rescue, potentially acting as a mediator between the airline and the current government led by Pedro Sánchez. The investigation, led by Judge José Luis Calama, suggests that Zapatero may have acted as a high-level intermediary for Plus Ultra, possibly benefiting financially through his connections. Additionally, the article highlights that the airline’s leadership sought influence not only from the government but also from conservative figures such as Judge Manuel García-Castellón and businessman Julio Ariza, who are associated with the far-right Vox party. Evidence includes intercepted communications and financial flows traced by tax authorities.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the situation with strong emphasis on the involvement of former socialist leader Zapatero and his alleged ties to the Venezuelan regime, while highlighting the conservative and far-right connections of those involved in the airline's affairs. This framing implies criticism of the右
Why these scores (Factual 88 · Objective 55): This article provides detailed facts about the involvement of Plus Ultra, García-Castellón, and Julio Ariza, corroborating the primary source. However, it leans towards a critical stance against both the government and Vox, introducing a partisan perspective that affects objectivity.
infoLibreIndependentLeftFactual 87Objective 608 days ago The president of Plus Ultra asked its largest shareholder to thank judge García-Castellón "for his efforts with Bankinter"The article reports on communications between Julio Martínez Sola, president of Plus Ultra, and Rodolfo Reyes Rojas, the airline’s largest shareholder, regarding interactions with Judge Manuel García-Castellón. In late 2022, Martínez Sola asked Reyes Rojas to thank García-Castellón for alleged efforts with Bankinter that led to the release of 3.7 million euros. The messages were obtained by police during searches related to the Plus Ultra case and shared with infoLibre. The former judge and the airline executive have been friends for three decades, and during a recent arrest, Martínez Sola requested that officers call García-Castellón. Earlier conversations show that Martínez Sola had previously contacted García-Castellón through Bankinter connections, including Dolores Dancausa and Rocío P. The article also mentions potential discussions with former Bankinter executives like Fernando Moreno. Bankinter declined to comment on the matter, stating that any actions involving client funds follow strict internal protocols.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the relationship between the former judge and the airline executive in a manner that suggests influence or undue favoritism, using terms like 'gestiones' (efforts) and highlighting their longstanding personal connection. It emphasizes the perceived impact of these relationships on
Why these scores (Factual 87 · Objective 60): This piece accurately describes the communication between Martínez Sola and Reyes Rojas concerning García-Castellón’s role with Bankinter, aligning with the primary source. However, it emphasizes the financial implications and personal friendship, which may introduce a subjective tone.
infoLibreIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 603 days ago The leadership of Plus Ultra turned to businessman Julio Ariza to try to stop Vox in the courtsThe leadership of Plus Ultra, a rescued airline under investigation, sought assistance from businessman Julio Ariza, a close associate of Vox leader Santiago Abascal, to prevent the far-right party from challenging the closure of legal proceedings against the airline. According to internal communications obtained by infoLibre, Plus Ultra’s president, Julio Martínez Sola, confirmed via chat that Ariza had assured him Vox would not appeal the case. The investigation involved allegations against Plus Ultra, the minister of Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen, and three other government officials related to the airline’s rescue. In November 2022, Madrid’s court ruled that the investigating judge had exceeded her authority by summoning Plus Ultra as an accused after the deadline for investigations had passed, leading to the case being archived. The court formally closed the case in January 2023. Additionally, there were reports that former judge Manuel García-Castellón, linked to the Popular Party, was considered as an intermediary between Plus Ultra and Vox.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information based on internal communications and court rulings without overtly favoring any political side. It describes actions taken by Plus Ultra and its connections to Vox but does not editorialize or frame the content with clear ideological bias.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 60): The article accurately reports on Plus Ultra’s efforts to influence Vox through Julio Ariza, but it presents this information from a political angle, suggesting potential bias. It references internal communications and legal actions, aligning with the primary source document, though it lacks neutral
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