A new round of scandal has erupted in Almería’s political scene: Francisco González Bellido, recently appointed Secretary General of the local branch of the Partido Popular (PP), publicly expressed support for the party’s former president and ex-head of the Diputación, Javier Aureliano García. García was detained as part of an investigation into the procurement of medical masks, a case that has sparked widespread controversy in the region.
Just a day after his appointment, Bellido posted an emotional message to García on Facebook, stressing that “there is only one truth” and expressing pride in their friendship. According to the new party official, García’s contribution to the province’s development is difficult to overstate. This gesture stirred strong reactions from both supporters and opponents of the party, making it a subject of heated debate in Almería’s political circles.
García himself, as he stepped down, published a farewell letter insisting on his innocence and integrity. His message garnered hundreds of comments, most expressing support. Among them was a response from Bellido, who now holds a key position in the PP’s regional structure.
Appointments and reshuffles in leadership
Francisco Bellido was appointed Secretary General at a party management board meeting in Roquetas de Mar. This move is part of leadership renewal efforts following the detention of García. Bellido already has experience in government, having led the regional office of the Ministry of Social Integration, Youth, Family, and Equality, and previously having overseen sports, tourism, and communications in the municipality of Olula del Río.
Bellido now becomes the right-hand man to the new provincial PP chairman — Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, who also serves as Andalusia’s Minister of Agriculture. With Fernández-Pacheco busy in the regional government, Bellido will, in practice, oversee the party’s local operations.
That same day, the new president of the Diputación was also introduced — José Antonio García Alcaina. The event was attended by key party figures, including Andalusia PP’s Secretary Antonio Repullo and the heads of other provincial branches.
Details of the investigation and charges
The case involving Javier Aureliano García centers on alleged corruption related to contracts for medical mask supplies at the onset of the pandemic. Investigators believe the former head of the Diputación may have been involved in receiving illicit payments and abusing his official position. The investigation has also led to the arrest of other high-ranking officials, including former Diputación Vice President Óscar Liria and Francisco Giménez.
Court documents reveal possible schemes for siphoning funds, the use of cash for personal expenses, and the specific use of ‘dentistry’ terminology that appeared in communications as a way to mask their actions. Notably, immediately after one contract was signed, a tooth emoji appeared in the chat, attracting particular attention from investigators.
García, who replaced Gabriel Amat as head of the Diputación in 2019, found himself at the center of this investigation several years after his predecessor stepped down—a predecessor who, despite numerous probes, avoided charges. Unlike Amat, García is now facing serious legal consequences.
Response within the party and in society
Bellido’s public support for García did not go unnoticed among fellow party members. Other representatives of the Almería PP also joined in: Francisco Alonso Martínez, José Manuel Rodríguez, Germán Moreno, and Javier Sola. They too expressed solidarity with the former leader, despite the ongoing investigation.
The public response has been mixed. Some see this support as an example of party loyalty and corporate ethics, while others view it as an attempt by the old guard to retain influence amid a crisis of trust. In any case, tensions within the Almería PP remain high, and scrutiny of the new leadership’s actions is only growing.
While the investigation continues, Bellido and his team have expressed their commitment to working for the good of the province and restoring the party’s reputation. However, the mask procurement scandal and the arrest of the former president are likely to impact the region’s political climate for some time.
