Senior Guardia Civil officer Luis del Castillo is at the center of a growing controversy after being accused of pressuring subordinates to undermine official events led by Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso. Information from details published by ABC, Del Castillo, chief of operations and considered the right hand of the director adjunto operativo (DAO), allegedly demanded that Fernando Mora, the Madrid zone chief, take part in a politically motivated boycott of the Dos de Mayo celebrations. Mora refused. Del Castillo reportedly responded with threats and aggressive language, escalating internal tensions within the force.
Colleagues describe Del Castillo as a divisive figure, citing his limited engagement with peers and a reputation for following political directives instead of standing out for professional merit. Despite his authority, many within the Guardia Civil see him as an average performer who advanced through the ranks by aligning himself with influential political figures. Recordings cited by ABC suggest Del Castillo threatened Mora with dismissal unless he followed instructions from Mercedes González, appointed director of the Guardia Civil in March 2023 after serving as PSOE secretary general in Madrid. Her position at the head of the force makes allegations about instructions to subordinate commanders a matter of institutional accountability and internal discipline.
Del Castillo's approach to leadership has drawn criticism for blurring the lines between the institution's neutrality and political interests. Colleagues have interpreted his formal treatment of González, whom he always addressed with the utmost respect, as a sign of his willingness to accept political guidance, a practice considered unusual in the traditionally independent Guardia Civil. His nickname, 'el Puñales', reflects a perception among some that he prioritizes self-preservation over loyalty to colleagues. They cite his distancing himself from Diego Pérez de los Cobos, a colonel dismissed in 2020 after refusing to provide information connected with a judicial investigation.
The Pérez de los Cobos case provides a impressive legal precedent in debates over political influence and the Guardia Civil's investigative command. On 28 March 2023, the Supreme Court annulled his dismissal, overturning the National Court's earlier decision to uphold it. Political opponents and Guardia Civil representatives called for Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to resign, while the government called the ruling a “matter of form.” The judgment concerned Pérez de los Cobos's removal. It is distinct from the unadjudicated allegations concerning Del Castillo and the Dos de Mayo events.
Born in Bilbao in 1963 and raised in Cantabria, Del Castillo's career has taken him across several regions and specialized units. He served with the Grupo de Acción Rápida (GAR) in Logroño, the Grupo Rural de Seguridad and the Barcelona Traffic Subsector. He later held posts at training centers in Guadarrama and Logroño before returning to Bilbao as a commander and then as a lieutenant colonel, focusing on personnel and logistics. Subsequent promotions took him to Santander as a colonel and then to León as a brigadier general, before he reached his current position. Throughout his ascent, Del Castillo developed close ties with Virginia Barcones, former government delegate in Castilla y León and now secretary general for Civil Protection and Emergencies, who played a basic role in his advancement. Del Castillo reportedly acknowledged in a WhatsApp* (принадлежит Metа, которая признана экстремистской организацией и запрещена в РФ) group that his promotion was unexpected, echoing peers who doubted he would have reached such a high rank under normal circumstances.
Separate judicial scrutiny has also focused on internal investigations within the Guardia Civil. Reporting on the later “caso Cloacas” says González and then-DAO Manuel Llamas were investigated over allegations that internal inquiries were used to pressure agents. In written material to National Court judge Santiago Pedraz, Llamas described different notification practices: González was informed when certain Unidad Central Operativa (UCO) inquiries opened and closed, while three proceedings involving other units were handled by the DAO and relevant commanders without equivalent notification. The same reporting says González took part in the start of one inquiry by telephone and ordered another to begin. Llamas described some proceedings as “internal management matters” handled by the DAO and the commanders responsible for initiating them. These claims concern separate proceedings and do not establish the allegations against Del Castillo.
Libertad Digital has also reported that González acknowledged meetings she had initially denied and maintained that she had informed Guardia Civil leadership. Two former UCO chiefs disputed her account before a judge. González told the Senate Interior Committee: “I have never, ever taken part in any plot against the Guardia Civil. It is my home, my family.” The same reporting refers to allegations involving deleted messages and possible administrative prevaricación, placing the dispute within a wider debate over oversight and the boundaries between administrative command and investigative work.
The case has highlighted ongoing debates about political influence within Spain's security forces. Similar concerns have surfaced in other high-profile cases, including a legal dispute involving a former National Police official that also raised questions about internal accountability and the handling of sensitive allegations. For further context on recent controversies within Spanish law enforcement, see the report on a former police executive seeking dismissal of a sexual assault case.
Spain's Guardia Civil, established in the 19th century, is tasked with responsibilities ranging from rural policing to counterterrorism. The force has long prided itself on independence from political influence, but recent incidents have renewed scrutiny of its internal culture and promotion practices. The dispute involving Del Castillo underscores the challenge of balancing operational integrity with external pressures. As the situation develops, the outcome may have lasting implications for leadership standards and perceptions of neutrality within Spain's security services.
