The former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared before the National Court on Wednesday as an investigated individual in connection with the so-called "Plus Ultra case." During his three-hour interrogation, Zapatero denied having influenced the rescue package granted to the airline Plus Ultra, which received 53 million euros in public aid during the pandemic. He also categorically denied owning any companies outside Spain and did not comment on the jewelry found in a safe in his professional office. In a statement following his testimony, Zapatero defended his innocence and stated that he had submitted a voluntary authorization allowing the court to verify the non-existence of any companies, money, financial products, or other assets under his direct or indirect ownership. He emphasized that he has nothing outside Spain.
Formally, Zapatero is being investigated for four crimes—money laundering, influence peddling, tax evasion, and smuggling—with other potential charges also under consideration. The investigating judge, José Luis Calama, positions Zapatero as the leader of an organized structure engaged in illegal influence trading in exchange for payments. Relying primarily on intercepted communications with third parties, Calama indicates that Zapatero exercised strategic leadership and maintained high-level institutional and business contacts. Zapatero responded only to questions posed by the judge and his lawyer, the renowned procedural lawyer Víctor Moreno Catena. He categorically denied influencing the rescue of 53 million euros granted by the State Agency for Industrial Participation (SEPI), one of the alleged influence routes highlighted by Calama in his indictment. This is based, among other things, on communications intercepted by the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations from the Venezuelan businessman Rodolfo Reyes Rojas, who was once the majority shareholder of Plus Ultra. One such message states, “I want to speak with SEPI, either him or Zapatero, and get at least verbal confirmation that they will grant us the help with 100% certainty,” a message the defense seeks to annul.
According to legal sources, Zapatero denied having had any contact with Plus Ultra executives. He claimed he met the current president, Julio Martínez Sola, in 2024, three years after the government approved the aid to the airline. Similarly, he denied maintaining contact with any officials regarding this matter—the indictment itself does not identify who might have influenced the decision. He also dissociated himself from the contract between Plus Ultra and Idella Consulenza Strategica, which is part of the corporate structure managed by his friend Julio Martínez Martínez. This agreement included a commission of 1% plus VAT on the approved aid, amounting to 530,000 euros.
As revealed exclusively by infoLibre, on March 17, 2021, eight days after the Council of Ministers finally approved the rescue, a company named Dubai Landside Middle East FZCO was registered, reportedly controlled entirely by Idella Consulenza Strategica. The judge claims Zapatero gave instructions for its creation. However, Zapatero denied having any companies abroad. “I have presented to the court a voluntary universal authorization to confirm the nonexistence of companies, money, financial products, or any asset under my direct or indirect ownership. Because I have absolutely nothing outside Spain,” he emphasized in a statement issued after his declaration.
Both investigators and the judge connect everything with the payments that Zapatero and the company run by his daughters—Whathefav—received from entities linked to the network. Particularly, from the consultancy Análisis Relevante, which has between...
The former prime minister published a full statement shortly after appearing before Judge José Luis Calama, who is investigating the 53 million euro rescue granted to the airline Plus Ultra. The judge accuses Zapatero of four crimes—influence peddling, money laundering, smuggling, and a crime against public finances.
Judge José Luis Calama rejected the imposition of precautionary measures for Zapatero after his appearance as an investigated person before the National Court. The magistrate concluded there is no risk of flight or destruction of evidence that would justify revoking his passport or requiring him to appear periodically before the court, given that he is a person of public notoriety. However, he noted that Zapatero’s statement did not serve to eliminate the indications against him.
The Public Prosecution Service Against Corruption had requested the judge to revoke Zapatero's passport, require him to appear before the court every 15 days, and prohibit him from leaving Spain without authorization. Popular accusations were divided. The PP, which leads the popular prosecution, had requested the same as the Public Prosecution Service—that Zapatero's passport be revoked and that he appear before the court every 15 days. The rest, Vox, Hazte Oír, and Iustitia Europa, wanted the former socialist leader to be placed under provisional arrest.
The ruling provides important updates on the status of the case. The judge considers that there are indications that part of the money from the Plus Ultra rescue may have passed through the accounts of the former prime minister. He also notes that the information found in the mobile phones seized in November, added to what was cloned in the United States from Rodolfo Reyes, former owner of Plus Ultra, in 2021, are indicators pointing to Zapatero.
In addition, Judge Calama adds the “use of multiple commercial companies that are indicatively instrumental,” without specifying which ones, and the jewels found in his office, about which the magistrate says neither their origin nor their corresponding tax and customs clearance has been proven.
During the interrogation by Magistrate José Luis Calama, which lasted three hours, Zapatero stated that he did not exercise any influence to favor the airline Plus Ultra in order for it to obtain the 53 million euro public rescue during the pandemic, according to legal sources familiar with the content of his statement. The former prime minister specified that he did not contact any official or authority regarding this rescue.
As expected, Zapatero did not answer questions related to the discovery of jewelry valued at 1.3 million euros in a safe in his office. In this regard, the former prime minister said he is gathering information and will request to testify on the matter within a week or ten days. His environment explained that part of the jewelry came from an inheritance of Sonsoles Espinosa, and another part was “gifts from travels.”
Zapatero is being investigated for his supposed role as the leader of an “organized and stable structure” dedicated to the illegal exercise of influence. In the case, indications of up to seven crimes are being investigated: organized crime, influence peddling, embezzlement, document forgery, money laundering, smuggling, and against public finances.
Zapatero arrived at the National Court on Wednesday fully aware that his words would have repercussions far beyond the room where Judge Instructor José Luis Calama was going to question him. The former prime minister, who was in power from 2004 to 2011 and has been an undisputed reference in the left in this last legislative period of Pedro Sánchez, left with the impression that it had been an “demanding interrogation,” but with the reassurance of having answered almost all the questions, according to sources close to him. He knew that not only the magistrate of the Plus Ultra case was expecting his explanations. And, over more than three hours, he defended his innocence: “It will take us more or less time to prove it, but the truth will prevail,” he added in a statement sent to the media after the declaration. However, for the judge, many mysteries remain to be clarified, investigations to be carried out, and suspicions that have not dissipated.
The audio of Zapatero’s declaration before the judge reveals: “I had no intervention. I didn’t talk to anyone, absolutely no one, from the public sector about the rescue of Plus Ultra. And that is an unquestionable truth.” Thus responded the former prime minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to Judge José Luis Calama during his interrogation on Wednesday at the National Court, according to the audio of that declaration, which elDiario.es has accessed.
The 53 million euro rescue granted to the airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic is at the origin of the investigations and was one of the issues focused on during the magistrate’s interrogation. Intercepted messages from other investigated individuals include “constant references” from Plus Ultra executives to using what they called the “Zapatero route” to overcome difficulties in processing the aid. They show confidence that the former prime minister would give a “technical touch from above,” boasting of having “the buddy Zapatero behind” them and admitting their willingness to pay bribes.
Before the judge, Zapatero defended that he had not exercised “any absolute influence” in the aforementioned rescue and maintained that “all” his “professional activity” had been conducted “according to legality.” He admitted only having spoken once with Banco Santander executive Juan Manuel Cendoya to receive executives of the airline in a “management similar” to what he has done for “many people.”
He did not sign a contract with Análisis Relevante
At the center of the investigations are the supposed consulting services he performed for Análisis Relevante, the consultancy of his friend Julio Martínez Martínez, for which he earned half a million euros. The thesis of the investigators is that, in reality, he was paid in exchange for mediating in the rescue of Plus Ultra and other practices of influence peddling, an extreme that Zapatero categorically denied. “This language I radically reject,” he replied when the magistrate asked him about the references from other indicted individuals to the supposed payment of a “
16 reports
infoLibreIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8518 days agoFormer Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared before the National Court as an investigated individual in the 'Plus Ultra' case. During his three-hour testimony, he denied any involvement in the rescue of Plus Ultra, categorically denied having companies outside Spain, and did not comment on the jewels seized from a safe in his professional office. In a statement following his declaration, Zapatero defended his innocence and stated he has provided a 'voluntary universal authorization' to verify the 'non-existence' of 'companies, money, financial products, or any assets' in
Bias read (Center): The article presents Zapatero's denial of involvement and his legal defense without overtly favoring either side. It includes details from the investigation and quotes from the magistrate overseeing the case, providing a balanced account of the situation.
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): The article presents Zapatero’s denial of involvement in the Plus Ultra rescue and his defense of innocence. It includes quotes and legal context, aligning with other sources. It remains objective by focusing on statements and legal proceedings rather than opinion.
El PaísIndependent🔒CenterFactual 90Objective 8518 days agoFormer Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has released a statement following his appearance before National Court Judge José Luis Calama, who is investigating the rescue package provided by the government to the airline Plus Ultra worth 53 million euros. The judge accuses Zapatero of four charges — influence peddling, money laundering, smuggling, and a tax offense.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on legal proceedings against a former leader without taking a clear stance or emphasizing particular viewpoints.
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): The article accurately reports the judicial decision regarding Zapatero’s passport and the ongoing investigation. It presents the facts without bias, citing the judge’s reasoning and the positions of different parties involved.
elDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8518 days agoA national court judge has rejected measures such as passport revocation for former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero following his declaration as an investigated individual by the National Court. The judge concluded there is no risk of flight or evidence destruction that would justify such actions, noting Zapatero’s public profile. However, the judge emphasized that Zapatero’s testimony did not eliminate the existing suspicions against him. The Public Prosecution Service had requested the passport revocation, along with mandatory appearances every 15 days and restrictions on
Bias read (Center): The article presents the judicial decision without overtly favoring any side. It includes perspectives from both the prosecution and defense, as well as details from the court ruling itself. There is no clear ideological framing or biased language.
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): This article accurately describes the court's rejection of measures against Zapatero and provides details on the legal proceedings. It remains objective by presenting facts without clear bias towards any political group.
El PaísIndependent🔒CenterFactual 90Objective 8525 days ago Zapatero asks the judge to demand more information from the US about the overturning of the Plus Ultra owner's mobileThe lawyer for former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has asked the National Court judge overseeing the Plus Ultra case to request more information from the United States regarding the circumstances under which the mobile phone of airline owner Rodolfo Reyes was seized in 2021. The defense claims there has been insufficient transparency from the judge and police regarding the phone’s seizure, verification, and custody. They argue that without full details about the device, its seizure method, the authenticity of communications, and how the data was handled by U.S. law-enfor
Bias read (Center): The article presents the legal arguments made by Zapatero's defense team without overtly favoring either side. It quotes their concerns about lack of transparency but does not present counterarguments or perspectives from the prosecution or judicial authorities. However, it remains neutral in tone,
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): This article clearly explains the U.S. border inspection policies and how they apply to individuals like Rodolfo Reyes. It references official sources such as the CBP and provides context about the legality of device inspections. The tone is informative and objective, presenting facts without overt
elDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8025 days ago Zapatero asks the judge to demand more information from the U.S. about how he obtained the key evidence for his indictmentThe defense of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has submitted a document to National Court Judge José Luis Calama expressing doubts about the acquisition and proper handling of mobile phone content intercepted by American agents in 2021 from Rodolfo Reyes, a businessman who was then a major shareholder of Plus Ultra. The defense requests additional information from the United States regarding the legal authorization for the seizure and cloning of the device, details of any proceedings against Reyes in the U.S., and technical specifics such as the authority responsible
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring either side. It reports on legal procedures and requests made by Zapatero’s defense without using biased language or selectively citing sources.
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 80): This article presents the defense's request for more information from the US regarding evidence against Zapatero with factual details. It remains neutral in tone, focusing on procedural aspects rather than taking sides, though it does highlight concerns about due process.
elDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8023 days ago The new investigation into Zapatero for the jewels seized from his office complicates his judicial futureThe former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero faces new legal complications due to an investigation into jewelry found in a safe in his office. The items include watches, necklaces, and other objects, which his team claims were inherited from his late wife, Sonsoles Espinosa, or received as gifts from 'trips.' The National Court is now seeking clarification on the origin, value, and potential legal implications of these items. The Guardia Civil conducted a search at Zapatero’s office on May 19, uncovering the jewelry during the process.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details of the ongoing investigation without overtly favoring any side. It reports on the discovery of the jewelry, the claims made by Zapatero’s secretary regarding their origins, and the court's interest in clarifying their provenance. There is no evident editorial slm
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 80): The article explains the delivery of key recordings by the Trump administration to the UDEF before Zapatero's indictment, offering relevant context without bias.
elDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8026 days ago It took the US five years to send to Spain the chats of the Venezuelan businessman that were key to accusing ZapateroA Spanish judge has ordered the issuance of a European Investigation Order to obtain mobile chat data from a Venezuelan businessman, Rodolfo Reyes, which was crucial in implicating former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in an influence-peddling case. The data was seized by US authorities in 2021 but only shared with Spanish investigators in March 2026, after a five-year delay. The judge acknowledges the data's importance in the investigation.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details about legal procedures and timelines without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on judicial actions and procedural delays without using biased language or selectively emphasizing one perspective over another.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 80): This article repeats the core information from previous reports about the U.S. sending the phone data and the judge’s request to use it as evidence. It is factual but slightly less detailed compared to earlier articles, yet remains objective.
El PaísIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 7518 days ago The judge upholds Zapatero's indictment after a demanding interrogation and four sources of evidenceFormer Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared before the National Court as part of the Plus Ultra case. He described the interrogation as 'demanding' but stated he had answered most questions. Zapatero maintained his innocence, stating that the truth would eventually emerge. The judge still has many unanswered questions and suspicions to investigate.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring any side. It reports on Zapatero’s appearance before the court, his statements, and the judge’s ongoing investigation. There is no clear ideological framing or biased language.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 75): The article provides detailed information about Zapatero’s interrogation and his defense of innocence, aligning with other reports on the case. However, it includes some subjective phrasing like ‘interrogatorio exigente’ and quotes Zapatero’s statement, which may reflect a slight bias toward his pos
infoLibreIndependentLeftFactual 85Objective 7524 days ago The court has in at least two cases overturned evidence from the US agency that targets Zapatero.José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who is being investigated by Spain's National Court as a potential leader of a criminal organization involved in influence trafficking among other charges, has requested that the case investigator seek information from the United States regarding how the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) obtained a key piece of evidence against him. This evidence includes a copy of the mobile phone of Rodolfo Reyes, former largest shareholder of Plus Ultra, which contains references to Zapatero as a key figure in securing a 53 million euro rescue for the airline. Zapatero is,
Bias read (Left): The article presents Zapatero as a defendant seeking to challenge the validity of U.S.-obtained evidence, potentially undermining the investigation. The framing emphasizes Zapatero’s request for transparency and questions the legitimacy of the evidence, suggesting skepticism toward the prosecution's
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 75): The article accurately describes Zapatero’s request for more information from the U.S. regarding evidence obtained by the HSI. It provides details about the case and the potential implications for the investigation, aligning with the cross-source consensus. The tone remains relatively neutral, thoug
infoLibreIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 7525 days ago Zapatero's defense asks the US to request key data on messages that are haunting the former presidentThe defense team of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has requested that key information be obtained from the United States regarding messages related to his investigation. The legal team, led by renowned procedural lawyer Víctor Moreno Catena, submitted a document to the National Court asking the case investigator, Magistrate José Luis Calama, to expand the judicial request to the U.S. to obtain data about the phone dump of businessman Rodolfo Reyes Rojas, who was a major shareholder in the company involved. This request comes due to the limited information provided关于
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details about legal proceedings involving a former prime minister without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on the defense’s request for additional evidence and does not include biased language or selective sourcing.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 75): The article provides detailed information about Zapatero's defense requesting data from the US, citing specific messages found in Rojas' phone. The facts align with the cross-source consensus, though some phrases like 'parquedad' may imply bias.
infoLibreIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 6526 days ago US sent the police key messages against Zapatero after Sánchez's "no to war" to TrumpThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security's investigations branch sent key messages related to former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to Spain's National Police Economic and Tax Crime Unit following recent diplomatic tensions between Spain and the United States. These messages were obtained from the mobile device of Rodolfo Reyes Rojas, a major shareholder of an airline involved in the case. The information was submitted to investigators on March 18, five years after it came into American hands and shortly after the Spanish government publicly refused to support the U.S. in其
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details about the transfer of evidence between U.S. and Spanish authorities without overtly favoring any political side. It mentions the involvement of former Prime Minister Zapatero but does not frame the information with clear ideological bias.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 65): Article provides details about the case involving Zapatero and mentions the involvement of UDEF and HSI, but lacks clarity on the full context of the investigation. It references a legal document but does not provide enough information to verify its accuracy. The tone leans towards sensationalism, s
El PaísIndependent🔒CenterFactual 80Objective 8525 days ago Where did the cell phone that the judge asked the US to bring in the case over Zapatero come from?A Spanish judge has requested cooperation from US authorities to access the contents of a mobile phone previously cloned without judicial authorization. The device belonged to Rodolfo Reyes, former president of Plus Ultra, and was used by Spanish police to support accusations against former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The judge aims to ensure these pieces of evidence are properly incorporated into the legal process.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a legal procedure involving a high-profile individual without overtly favoring any political side. It describes the actions of judicial officials and law enforcement without editorializing or using biased language.
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 85): The article provides factual information about the closure of a brothel and the resulting protest. It includes quotes from demonstrators and describes the legal action taken by the court. The reporting remains neutral and objective.
El MundoIndependent🔒CenterFactual 80Objective 7525 days agoThe defense of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has requested detailed information from U.S. authorities regarding how they obtained the contents of a mobile phone that allegedly implicates Zapatero in the Plus Ultra case. The phone belonged to Venezuelan businessman Rodolfo Reyes Rojas, who owned Plus Ultra during an operation involving the retrieval of 53 million euros from the Spanish government. The defense argues that the lack of complete data about the phone's seizure hinders Zapatero's right to a proper defense.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the legal arguments made by Zapatero's defense without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the request for additional information from U.S. authorities and does not include explicit commentary or biased language that would indicate a clear ideological leaning.
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 75): Article focuses on Cerdán’s personal experience and his critique of the narrative around him. It includes subjective reflections but remains grounded in reported events.
elDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 6517 days ago The audios of Zapatero's statement to the judge: "I did not intervene in the rescue of Plus Ultra and that is an unquestionable truth"In an interrogation at the National Court, former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero denied any involvement in the 53 million euro rescue granted to airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic. He stated he had no contact with anyone regarding the public sector’s handling of the rescue and called this fact 'unquestionable.' The investigation into the rescue has been linked to messages intercepted from other individuals under scrutiny, which include frequent references to what was termed the 'Zapatero route' to bypass bureaucratic hurdles. These messages suggest confidence that Zapá
Bias read (Center): The article presents Zapatero's denial of involvement in the Plus Ultra rescue without overtly favoring either his claims or the implications of the intercepted messages. It includes direct quotes from Zapatero and mentions the content of messages from others under investigation but does not take a
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 65): The article discusses allegations against Zapatero and mentions the valuation of jewels, which is factually presented. However, the tone leans towards sensationalism, suggesting possible contraband rather than presenting evidence objectively.
elDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 6519 days ago From Plus Ultra bailout to payments to his daughters: Zapatero testifies before judge in case investigating seven crimesFormer Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is set to appear before the National Court as an investigated individual in a case involving up to seven alleged crimes, including organized crime, influence peddling, and tax evasion. The investigation originated from the 53 million euro rescue package granted to airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic. Zapatero will appear before Judge José Luis Calama, who previously handled cases such as the 2025 blackout and the Pegasus spyware scandal. He is expected to answer only to his lawyer and the judge during the hearing. Following this, a
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about legal proceedings against a former president without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on the charges, the judicial process, and the background of the investigation neutrally.
Why these scores (Factual 70 · Objective 65): Focuses more on political implications and internal party dynamics rather than the legal aspects. Less factual depth compared to others and shows some bias in emphasizing Zapatero’s impact on the PSOE.
El ConfidencialIndependent🔒CenterFactual 70Objective 6027 days agoThe article reports that the United States sent a key mobile phone in March related to the Zapatero case, and the judge has requested its use as evidence.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without apparent bias, focusing on the legal process and the involvement of international entities. There is no evident framing that favors one side over another.
Why these scores (Factual 70 · Objective 60): The article shifts focus to Pedro Sánchez and his potential imputation, which is not central to the main event being reported. It introduces a different angle without sufficient context, leading to lower factuality and objectivity scores.
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