January 1991 was a time of turmoil for Spanish politics. The spotlight was on Alfonso Guerra, then Deputy Prime Minister and considered one of the most influential figures in the country. His resignation sparked a wave of emotions, though for many it came as no surprise. The reasons were not only internal disagreements but also the conduct of his brother Juan, who used his official position for personal gain.
Juan Guerra was employed at the Andalusian government’s representative office, where he received an office and a substantial salary. However, it soon emerged that he was using government resources for his own business. As a result, he faced charges of several crimes, including fraud, abuse of power, and tax evasion. Ultimately, he was found guilty only of the latter and sentenced to one year in prison, but he did not serve time because he had no prior convictions.
The consequences for Alfonso Guerra were much more serious. Under public pressure and constant media scrutiny, he was forced to step down as Deputy Prime Minister, although he remained in the party leadership for several more years. This marked the first major corruption scandal in modern Spanish history, even if the court did not formally classify it as such. Since then, the issue of family ties and abuse of power has repeatedly emerged in Spanish politics.
Decades have passed, but little has changed. Today, new cases involving close relatives of current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez are again under discussion. Although none of them have yet faced legal consequences, the question of political accountability remains unresolved. Spanish society continues to witness politicians and their families being implicated in questionable matters, while real consequences are rare. In over thirty years, there have been numerous examples, and each new case only highlights how deeply interwoven power, family ties, and the temptation to use their position for personal gain really are.
