Zapatero Under Investigation: A Decade of Risky Diplomacy in Venezuela. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero finds himself at the center of a high-profile investigation. His years-long mission in Venezuela has led to allegations of influence peddling. The court is examining his connections with companies and involvement in the release of political prisoners.
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero found himself at the center of a major investigation after years of acting as a mediator between the Venezuelan regime and the opposition. In 2024, as mass protests erupted in Caracas against the election results and thousands of people were detained, Zapatero once again arrived at Nicolás Maduro's residence with a proposal for political reform. His plan included shortening the presidential term, introducing the post of prime minister, and granting amnesty to prisoners. However, Maduro did not give a clear response, and was soon overthrown in a U.S. military operation and sent to prison.
Over the years of his mission, Zapatero made dozens of trips to Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Washington, and other capitals, attempting to establish dialogue between the authorities and the opposition. His role sparked fierce debate: some in the opposition believed he was too close to Maduro's inner circle, especially Delcy Rodríguez, while his supporters highlighted his accomplishments in freeing political prisoners. Despite pressure and warnings from those around him, Zapatero did not abandon his mediation, insisting that his efforts were directly responsible for the release of hundreds of people.
In 2026, it became known that the National Court of Spain had launched an investigation against Zapatero on suspicion of influence peddling and illegal payments through the consulting company Análisis Relevante. According to the investigation, he may have received commissions from Chinese and Venezuelan entities. The case materials also mention his close friend, entrepreneur Julio Martínez Martínez. As RUSSPAIN notes, the police had previously identified large transfers to the former prime minister's accounts, and part of the funds was frozen (details of Zapatero's financial transactions).
Zapatero himself has not publicly condemned the Maduro regime, has avoided harsh statements, and has not commented on the accusations against the Venezuelan authorities. According to him, open criticism could have deprived him of the opportunity to negotiate and work towards the release of prisoners. At the same time, among the opposition, especially in the circle of María Corina Machado, he is seen as someone who strengthened the regime's position. Zapatero continued to insist on the need for dialogue and participation in elections, even when part of the opposition considered these processes discredited.
In recent years, Zapatero has been involved in the release of several high-profile prisoners, including human rights activist Rocío San Miguel, General Miguel Rodríguez Torres, and candidate Enrique Márquez. His contacts with Venezuelan authorities remained active even after the investigation began in Spain. In May 2026, upon learning of new charges and raids, he canceled another visit to Caracas and began preparing his defense. According to open sources, Zapatero remains one of the few European politicians who has managed to maintain direct dialogue with the Venezuelan leadership over the past few years. The question of his role and motives remains the subject of debate both in Spain and in Latin America.
