The scandal surrounding the Plus Ultra case investigation is once again in the spotlight of Spanish public attention. The Ministry of the Interior was unable to serve a summons to a key suspect, citing the fact that his name is too common. This situation sparked a strong reaction among politicians and experts, as the case involves state finances and public trust in institutions.
According to Ale Espanol, the individual in question is a businessman named Julito Martínez Martínez, who is implicated in the investigation into the allocation of 53 million euros to the airline Plus Ultra. Investigators found that large sums of money passed through his companies, and he was detained along with the airline’s management. However, the Interior Ministry stated it was unable to locate the right person since there are many people in the country with that name.
Accusations against the Interior Ministry
The opposition accused Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska of trying to delay the investigation. Representatives of Partido Popular (PP) believe the ministry is deliberately avoiding serving the summons to prevent new details from emerging. They recalled that there had already been attempts to hinder the appearance of other witnesses in this case.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Análisis Relevante, a company connected to Julito Martínez, received 458,000 euros from Plus Ultra. The investigation suspects these funds may have been used for money laundering and other financial schemes. Police found over 300,000 euros in cash at the businessman’s home.
Investigation details
The Senate investigative committee continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the allocation of a large state loan to the airline Plus Ultra. In the coming weeks, the committee plans to summon the company’s president and other parties involved in the scheme. Special attention is being paid to the connections between companies and potential corruption schemes.
Judge María Esperanza Collazos is conducting an investigation on suspicions of money laundering, tax evasion, embezzlement of funds, and the creation of a criminal organization. The case files also mention transactions involving oil assets and financial flows from Venezuela.
Reaction and consequences
In response to actions by the Interior Ministry, Partido Popular announced the launch of an audit into the activities of the Minister of the Interior. According to the opposition, the ministry has found itself at the center of several scandals related to attempts to conceal important information. Public distrust in the transparency of government agencies is growing.
According to Ale Espanol, former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been summoned to testify at the beginning of March. The Senate demands that the Interior Ministry ensure the attendance of all key figures, but the issue with Julito Martínez remains unresolved.
In recent years, Spain has faced several high-profile investigations involving state subsidies and the activities of major companies. In 2024, the focus was on a case concerning the funding of construction contractors, and in 2025, attention shifted to schemes related to the procurement of medical equipment. Each time, concerns over transparency and the control of public spending sparked public debate and political discord.
