Mercedes González, head of the Guardia Civil, told the court she was manipulated in the ‘Caso Leire Díez’ affair. She denied any role in attempts to influence sensitive judicial cases. The investigation continues amid political tension.
The director general of the Guardia Civil, Mercedes González, appeared before the National Court this Friday as an accused in the ongoing ‘Caso Leire Díez’ investigation. González told Judge Santiago Pedraz that she considers herself a victim of a scheme allegedly orchestrated by former socialist member Leire Díez and ex-PSOE Organization Secretary Santos Cerdán. According to legal sources present at the hearing, González insisted she never collaborated with any so-called “cloaca” or participated in efforts to hinder judicial proceedings affecting the PSOE, the government, or those close to Pedro Sánchez. She emphasized that, if anything, Cerdán and Díez had used her position for their own purposes.
Her testimony comes after a delayed appearance; González was initially scheduled to testify on Thursday, but the session was postponed due to the lengthy questioning of Lieutenant General Manuel Llamas. Llamas, who serves as the Guardia Civil’s deputy operational director, spent nearly two hours before the judge, firmly denying any pressure on the Central Operative Unit (UCO) to “stand aside” in politically sensitive cases. He described himself as the target of a “smear campaign” and rejected claims that he had ever instructed the UCO to be less proactive in investigations involving the PSOE or the government.
The court’s decision to formally investigate González and summon Llamas followed a request from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, which cited possible offenses of malfeasance and obstruction of justice. The prosecution’s move was prompted by UCO reports raising suspicions about both officials. Investigators believe Díez’s network sought to exploit internal Guardia Civil probes as a means of intimidating officers involved in cases with political implications. Díez reportedly leveraged her prior relationship with González, with UCO documents noting that Díez often told others she had a strong personal connection with the director and met with her regularly. While investigators identified at least three meetings between the two, González, during a Senate appearance in June, acknowledged only two encounters. She described the first as a professional introduction shortly after taking office, and the second as a meeting where Díez unsuccessfully lobbied for the reinstatement of Commander Rubén Villalba, who is implicated in the Koldo case.
Earlier, Generals Rafael Yuste and Alfonso López Malo testified that they had received instructions for the UCO to adopt a less active stance in politically charged investigations. However, Llamas denied ever issuing such directives, stating that he routinely advises all investigative teams to let judges lead their cases. The ongoing inquiry has intensified scrutiny of the relationship between law enforcement and political actors, echoing broader concerns about judicial independence in Spain. This tension has been highlighted in other high-profile cases, such as when former Supreme Court president Carlos Lesmes warned of political pressure on the judiciary—a topic explored in detail in a recent analysis of judicial independence challenges.
The ‘Caso Leire Díez’ investigation underscores the complex interplay between Spain’s security institutions and political leadership. The case has drawn attention to the mechanisms by which internal probes can be used as leverage within the state apparatus. In Spain, the Guardia Civil operates under the dual authority of the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Defense, with its leadership often navigating sensitive political terrain. Allegations of interference or manipulation within the force can have significant implications for public trust and the perceived impartiality of law enforcement. As the investigation proceeds, the outcome may influence future protocols for internal oversight and the boundaries between political and judicial spheres in Spain.
