U.S. Homeland Security says it assisted Spain in probe of leftist former PM

Key Points:

• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assisted Spanish police in a money-laundering investigation that led Spain’s High Court to probe former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for allegedly leading an influence-peddling and money-laundering network.
• The alleged network reportedly profited from lobbying public authorities, primarily benefiting the Spanish airline Plus Ultra, which received a €53 million state bailout in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Zapatero, who led Spain from 2004 to 2011 and is an ally of current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, denied any wrongdoing amid ongoing corruption scandals affecting the leftist government.
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) provided key evidence from a mobile device linked to Rodolfo Reyes, associated with Plus Ultra, which helped Spanish authorities uncover the use of shell companies, fake documents, and opaque financial channels to conceal nearly €2 million.
• Despite the investigation, Zapatero remains politically active, supporting Socialist candidates domestically and acting as an international mediator, including efforts to free Venezuelan political prisoners.