Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was formally placed under investigation by Spain's High Court on May 19, 2026, for alleged influence peddling and related crimes connected to the 2021 state bailout of the airline Plus Ultra [1, 2, 3, 4]. Police searched Zapatero's Madrid office and three other locations as part of the probe [1, 2, 3, 4].
The inquiry centers on claims that Zapatero led a network that profited by lobbying public authorities to approve €53 million (around $62 million) in bailout aid to Plus Ultra during the COVID-19 pandemic through Spain's SEPI solvency fund [1, 5, 2, 3, 4]. Investigating judge Jose Luis Calama found evidence suggesting the use of shell companies, fake documents, and complex financial channels to hide about €1.95 million in laundered public funds [5]. The US Department of Homeland Security assisted Spanish police in tracking money laundering linked to the case to support the investigation [5].
Reports allege that companies tied to businessman Julio Martinez Martinez, known as Julito, and Analisis Relevante received funds connected to the bailout, and Zapatero may have received commissions possibly up to €10 million, though this is disputed [3, 4]. Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing, saying he "never engaged in any private deal with public authorities over the Plus Ultra bailout," stressing he has "at all times respected the law and asserts his innocence," and pledging cooperation with the investigation [1, 5, 4, 6].
The bailout itself generated controversy due to Plus Ultra's fragile finances, limited strategic value, and links to Venezuelan shareholders close to then-President Nicolas Maduro [1, 2, 3, 4]. Late in 2025, arrests were made in connection with the case, including that of Julito [3].
The probe marks the first time in Spain's modern democratic history that a former prime minister faces a formal corruption investigation [2, 4]. Political tensions have increased as the conservative People's Party criticized Zapatero's ties to Venezuela and used the case to attack the Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government, which was already grappling with other corruption allegations [1, 3, 4]. Juanma Moreno, president of Andalusia's regional government, called the investigation "unprecedented" and said it would "shake up the government" [3]. The Popular Party Secretary-General Miguel Tellado said, "The structure is collapsing and the bosses of the scheme are beginning to fall" [4].
Zapatero is scheduled to testify in court on June 2, 2026, continuing the judicial scrutiny of the bailout scandal [1, 2, 3, 4, 7].
