Police analysis of Zapatero's chats with his secretary exposes systematic tracking of payments from consulting and foreign deals. The investigation raises questions about cash handling and the ex-president's international activities.
Newly surfaced police evidence has brought to light a meticulous system of financial tracking maintained by former Spanish Prime Minister Rodríguez Zapatero and his long-time secretary, Gertrudis Alcázar. According to chat records recovered by the UDEF, Zapatero and Alcázar coordinated closely on incoming payments from consulting contracts and international engagements, with frequent references to specific sums, sources, and even the method of payment.
The chats, which span from 2000 onwards, show Zapatero receiving funds from countries such as Peru and Turkey, as well as from book deals and contracts with international consultancies like Kreab and Thinking Heads. In one exchange from May 2025, Zapatero queries a €17,800 payment, asking if it relates to Turkey. Alcázar clarifies that the Turkish deal was for a higher amount and identifies the payment as linked to a book contract, noting delays and additional expected transfers from other sources.
Police investigators are working to match these chat references with actual transactions, suspecting that some consulting contracts may have masked illicit commission payments for political favors. The investigation also highlights Zapatero's use of cash, as seen in a message where Alcázar asks if a travel expense should be reimbursed in cash or by transfer, to which Zapatero responds he will pay in cash.
Alongside the financial details, the chats reveal Zapatero's pattern of rapid, almost 24-hour trips to the Dominican Republic, often as part of his consulting work. Contrary to his earlier statements in court, records show three such express visits between 2024 and 2025, sometimes involving complex flight routes with brief stays on the island. These trips, according to the police, were more frequent and logistically involved than previously acknowledged.
Routine discussions about payments from Kreab, Thinking Heads, and other entities are interspersed with personal notes, such as references to Zapatero's family and shared books. The close working relationship between Zapatero and Alcázar is evident, with both displaying a progressive political alignment and a high degree of trust in managing sensitive financial matters.
The investigation into Zapatero's financial dealings comes amid broader scrutiny of political influence and consulting contracts in Spain. Similar cases have recently drawn attention, including situations where internal party dynamics and financial decisions intersect, as seen when a former PSOE insider prepared to testify independently, raising pressure on party leadership.
For context, Spanish law requires public officials to declare income and avoid conflicts of interest, but enforcement and transparency around consulting work remain contentious. The ongoing police probe into Zapatero's activities may prompt further debate about the boundaries between political roles and private sector engagements, especially when international transactions and cash payments are involved.
