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Spain Expands Plus Ultra Bailout Probe, Eyeing Venezuelan Funds and Zapatero Family Links

Four arrests refocus the case on Julio Martínez Martínez’s company network, including loans signed after the rescue.

Overview

  • Police economic crime unit UDEF detained four people last week: Plus Ultra president Julio Martínez Sola, CEO Roberto Roselli, businessman Julio Martínez Martínez, and an attorney.
  • Prosecutors and Judge Esperanza Collazos are investigating whether part of the €53 million 2021 rescue was used to launder funds tied to Venezuelan corruption, including proceeds linked to CLAP and gold sales.
  • La Razón reports Martínez became sole administrator of nine companies in the two months after the bailout decision, adding to a network in which he currently holds dozens of positions.
  • Investigators are scrutinizing post-rescue loan contracts between Plus Ultra and three firms suspected of laundering to determine whether public money was routed through those entities.
  • UDEF is examining Martínez’s contacts with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and family members, while ABC reports payments from Martínez’s Análisis Relevante to Whathefav and notes the agency’s X account was removed.