A new political scandal is brewing in the Spanish Senate: the Partido Popular has initiated the creation of a special commission to investigate the activities of Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (SEPI). The decision comes amid the ongoing Koldo case, but this time the focus shifts solely to SEPI and its potential links to Venezuela. The move to separate these issues appears to be an attempt by the opposition to leave no stone unturned in their search for compromising material on the government.
At the center of attention are figures already known to investigators: former socialist Leire Díez, ex-SEPI head Vicente Fernández, and entrepreneur Antxon Alonso. All three were detained but soon released on bail. Now, senators intend to find out whether public funds were used for suspicious deals and whether this money was connected to support for Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela.
Venezuelan connection
Particular attention is being paid to the case of Plus Ultra airlines, which SEPI rescued from bankruptcy. According to Partido Popular representatives, this decision may have been motivated not only by economics but also by politics. The opposition suspects that this mechanism allowed Pedro Sánchez’s government to help the Maduro regime using Spanish taxpayers’ money.
The situation has escalated following recent events in Venezuela: the arrest of the former president and the appointment of Delcy Rodríguez as interim head of state. Against this backdrop, Partido Popular is ramping up the pressure, demanding explanations about possible links between Spanish officials and the Venezuelan authorities. Questions about the transparency and integrity of public fund distribution are becoming increasingly pressing.
Political Showdown
High-profile hearings are set to take place in the Senate in the near future. The date has already been set for January 15, when Vice President and Finance Minister María Jesús Montero, along with Minister for the Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen, will answer senators’ questions. The opposition links their names to possible irregularities in SEPI and suspects their involvement in fuel-related schemes.
On the same day, a new commission to investigate SEPI will be officially established. Partido Popular holds an absolute majority in the Senate, making the outcome of the vote a foregone conclusion. Behind the scenes, there is already talk that the investigation could touch not only on economic but also diplomatic dimensions, as it potentially concerns ‘services’ rendered to foreign regimes.
Interrogations and Intrigue
Another high-profile event is expected this week: former minister José Luis Ábalos, currently in custody, is set to testify as part of the Koldo case investigation. Partido Popular insists on his personal appearance before the Senate, though the final decision will be made by the Supreme Court. Ábalos has already received an official summons to attend the hearing.
Senators plan to question him in detail about Delcy Rodríguez’s visit to Spain six years ago. At that time, the then Vice President of Venezuela arrived in Madrid secretly, and according to the opposition, it was Ábalos who organized her meeting at Barajas Airport. What she brought in her luggage and the true purpose of her visit still remain a mystery.
Internal Showdown
Alongside the SEPI investigation, Partido Popular is conducting several other parliamentary inquiries: into the work of the Center for Sociological Research (CIS), the aftermath of hurricane DANA, and the recent energy crisis. All this creates an atmosphere of constant pressure on the government, which is forced to respond to new accusations almost every week.
During searches by the Central Operative Unit (UCO), documents were seized at Correos, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. All of them are linked to the alleged network of Leire Díez. The opposition makes no secret of its expectations for further revelations and has no intention of slowing down.
Corruption or Politics?
Partido Popular does not mince words: in their view, SEPI has turned into a ‘cash machine for corruption’ under María Jesús Montero’s leadership. The opposition accuses the government of spending millions of euros rescuing companies while small businesses were left without support. In response, the government accuses the opposition of politicizing investigations and trying to distract from the country’s real problems.
This story is more than just another round of party rivalry. At stake are trust in state institutions and transparency in the use of public funds. Questions remain unanswered, and the intrigue only deepens.
