A written statement sent to the National Court reveals that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero played a direct role in the Plus Ultra bailout. The document details a 1% commission agreement and outlines the ex-president’s influence in securing public funds.
New revelations have emerged in the ongoing Plus Ultra bailout investigation, as Julio Martínez Martínez, identified as a close associate and alleged frontman for former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, has submitted a written confession to the National Court. The document, delivered to Judge José Luis Calama just before Martínez Martínez’s scheduled testimony, outlines Zapatero’s active involvement in securing public financial support for the airline and confirms a pre-arranged 1% commission tied to the operation’s success.
According to the statement, Martínez Martínez first learned of Plus Ultra’s financial troubles in May 2020, when Zapatero informed him that company executives would be reaching out. Shortly after, he was contacted by Julio Martínez Sola, owner of Plus Ultra, and Roberto Roselli, the airline’s CEO, who described the urgent need for funding. The document asserts that Zapatero was already aware of the situation and played a central role in orchestrating the search for financial solutions.
Martínez Martínez clarifies that his own capacity to secure funding was limited, emphasizing that Zapatero, acting as a consultant, directed the process. The company Análisis Relevante was established to provide advisory and organizational services, with Zapatero leading strategic decisions and client acquisition, despite not holding any formal stake or position within the firm. The structure of the company placed Martínez Martínez as majority shareholder, with journalist Sergio Sánchez holding a minority share and responsible for finalizing reports, which were formatted by Whathefav under a monthly retainer.
The statement details that Zapatero’s personal and professional connections were instrumental in attracting clients, including Plus Ultra. Contracts with these clients followed standard templates developed by Análisis Relevante. On July 30, 2020, Plus Ultra signed an agreement with Análisis Relevante for advisory services at €5,000 per month plus VAT. However, Martínez Martínez notes that these fees were in reality compensation for Zapatero’s ongoing advice since May. Additionally, a success fee was formalized on January 19, 2021, between Plus Ultra and Idella Consulenza Estrategica S.L., stipulating a 1% payment of any public funding secured through the SEPI-managed Solvency Support Fund for Strategic Companies.
Throughout the process, Zapatero was kept informed of every development, and on February 26, 2021, he relayed to Martínez Martínez that SEPI would approve the requested loan. The government’s Council of Ministers officially authorized the credit on March 9, 2021. Notably, when Zapatero testified before Judge Calama on June 17, he categorically denied exerting any influence on behalf of Plus Ultra or interacting with SEPI officials regarding the matter.
Martínez Martínez’s statement also addresses the handling of commission payments, explaining that due to intense media scrutiny over the public funding, the disbursement was spread out until 2026 and partially invoiced through other companies linked to him. The total commission paid for facilitating the bailout amounted to approximately 1% of the funds received, as initially agreed.
Following the initial operation, the professional relationship between Análisis Relevante and Plus Ultra continued, with subsequent work focusing on resolving technical and logistical issues in Venezuela. Most of these services were billed through entities associated with Plus Ultra and Martínez Martínez.
The document further recounts the origins of Martínez Martínez’s relationship with Zapatero, tracing it back to 2011 when a mutual acquaintance facilitated the purchase of a property in Vera, Almería, from Zapatero’s family. The sale was finalized at the Palacio de la Moncloa, marking the beginning of their association.
Martínez Martínez, represented by attorney María Dolores Márquez de Prado, is set to appear before the National Court, having expressed his intention to fully cooperate with the investigation. As the case unfolds, it draws attention to the broader context of pandemic-era financial aid and the scrutiny of high-level political involvement. For additional background on the allegations regarding Zapatero’s strategic direction in the Plus Ultra rescue, see the detailed coverage in this earlier report on the ex-president’s role.
The Plus Ultra case has become a focal point in Spain’s ongoing debate over the transparency and oversight of public bailouts. The SEPI fund, established to support strategic companies during the COVID-19 crisis, has faced criticism for its selection criteria and the influence of political figures. The outcome of this investigation may have lasting implications for future government interventions in the private sector and the mechanisms used to safeguard public resources.
