Zapatero's daughters charged in Plus Ultra corruption case

Zapatero's daughters charged in Plus Ultra case: the Swiss and French shadow

The Plus Ultra case, which seemed archived in Spain two years ago, has resurfaced strongly thanks to investigations by Swiss and French prosecutors. The daughters of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his secretary have been charged with alleged involvement in a money laundering network linked to the bailout of the Plus Ultra airline. The news, which has spread rapidly through financial circles, reveals that the network extended beyond the PSOE leadership to include direct family members.

According to leaked information, the investigation originated from suspicious transactions detected by Swiss and French authorities, who alerted the DEA. Specifically, the origin of high-value jewelry allegedly purchased with funds of dubious origin is under investigation. The former prime minister has announced he will provide documentation to prove the legal origin of these items, although sources close to the case doubt this will be enough to stop the proceedings.

The role of family businesses

One of the most striking details to emerge is the existence of a website, apparently with minimal content, through which €500,000 was billed. Various analysts point out that this figure is disproportionate to the work performed, suggesting possible false or inflated billing to justify capital movements. Zapatero's daughters appear as administrators of several commercial companies that allegedly received payments linked to the scheme.

Zapatero's personal secretary, known as Gertrudis, has also been charged. It is suspected that she acted as a straw man or intermediary in some operations. The fact that people from the former prime minister's inner circle are being investigated suggests that the scheme may have had a broader reach than initially thought.

Connections with the Koldo and Ábalos network

The Plus Ultra case is not the only judicial front besetting the PSOE. The investigation has brought to light links with the so-called Koldo network and former minister José Luis Ábalos, both already charged in other corruption cases. Investigators are trying to determine if a coordinated money laundering network operated through various companies, including those of the Zapatero family.

The sense of impunity that surrounded these operations for years has vanished with the intervention of international authorities. As some analyses note, while the case was investigated only in Spain, judges closed the case quickly. However, pressure from Switzerland, France, and the DEA has forced it to be peine.

What can happen now?

The charges do not imply a conviction, but they do represent a serious blow to Zapatero's image, who had already been questioned over his economic management. The possibility that his daughters could face prison sentences if their active participation in the scheme is proven opens an unprecedented scenario in recent political history. Some commentators speculate that the former prime minister might try to strike a deal with prosecutors to prevent his family from going to prison, but the existence of evidence held by third countries complicates any strategy.

With these new revelations, the Plus Ultra case becomes a barometer of the fight against corruption in Spain. The question that remains is whether Spanish institutions would have acted with the same firmness without the push from foreign prosecutors.