Spain faces yet another scandal involving former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The country’s anti-narcotics prosecutor has firmly demanded that the lawsuit filed by the ultra-Catholic group Hazte Oír be dismissed. The organization had tried to accuse the ex-premier of involvement in international drug trafficking and money laundering. Prosecutors stated there is not a single fact in the accusations that could warrant a criminal case.
National Court judge Antonio Piña received a statement from Hazte Oír claiming that Zapatero was allegedly connected to former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and, through these contacts, involved in criminal schemes. However, after examining the materials, prosecutors concluded that all allegations were based solely on assumptions and not supported by any real evidence.
In response to the court’s request, the anti-narcotics agency prepared a detailed report emphasizing that none of Hazte Oír’s arguments withstand scrutiny. The document notes that the accusations against Zapatero are based on conjecture rather than facts and do not even provide a minimal description of his possible role in the alleged crimes.
Prosecutor’s arguments
Prosecutors specifically pointed out that the indictment does not explain what role Zapatero could have played in the alleged criminal organization. Furthermore, even the so-called ‘Cartel de los Soles’ mentioned in the lawsuit is not listed in current US charges as a drug cartel, but rather seen as a form of clientelism.
The prosecutor’s conclusion emphasizes that if American or Spanish law enforcement had any genuine suspicions about Zapatero, the authorities would have been notified through official channels. However, there have been no indications of his involvement in drug trafficking or money laundering.
The prosecution also noted that Hazte Oír’s accusations are not supported by any specific facts and are based solely on ‘bold assumptions’ and ‘general speculations,’ which cannot serve as grounds for initiating a criminal case.
Court response
After receiving the complaint from Hazte Oír, Judge Piña was obliged to launch a preliminary investigation—a standard procedure necessary to assess the merits of the case. However, it quickly became clear at this stage that there was no real basis for the case. The prosecutor’s office promptly submitted its position to the court, clearly stating the absence of any criminal offense.
In his report, prosecutor Javier Redondo pointed out that the existence of drug trafficking charges against Maduro does not automatically implicate all his acquaintances or political intermediaries in these crimes. According to the prosecution, Hazte Oír is trying to build a chain of accusations solely based on Zapatero’s personal contacts with the Venezuelan leader, which cannot withstand any legal scrutiny.
The court must now make a final decision: either to close the case or to continue the investigation. However, the prosecutor’s position appears so unequivocal that the chances of the process moving forward are minimal.
Political context
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Hazte Oír has attempted to use legal mechanisms to pressure members of the Socialist party and the government. The organization is known for its high-profile lawsuits and its active stance against the current authorities. This time, their attempt to hold the former prime minister accountable appears particularly controversial given the lack of any evidence.
In its accusation, Hazte Oír claimed that Zapatero allegedly maintained ‘privileged relations’ with Maduro and participated in ‘high-risk financial operations.’ However, the prosecution found no evidence to support these claims. Moreover, the report notes that even if such operations had taken place, this would not prove they were linked to drug trafficking.
The Prosecutor’s Office also recalled that Zapatero has repeatedly acted as a mediator in the release of political prisoners in Venezuela, which, according to the agency, cannot be considered a crime.
Next steps
In the coming days, Judge Piña is expected to issue a ruling on the case. If the court sides with the prosecutor’s position, the Hazte Oír lawsuit will be dismissed, and the attempt to link Zapatero’s name to drug trafficking will collapse. Otherwise, the proceedings may drag on, but the chances of success for the accusers are virtually nonexistent.
The situation surrounding this case clearly illustrates how easily courts can be used for political battles in today’s Spain. However, in this instance, the anti-narcotics prosecutor’s office acted with integrity and did not allow justice to become a tool of pressure.
