The Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Guardia Civil has determined that the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, identified under the code name “El One,” was the main beneficiary of the operations carried out by an alleged network led by Santos Cerdán and Leire Díez. According to the case summary obtained by El Mundo, the network operated with the goal of protecting PSOE’s interests and stalling judicial investigations that affected both the party and government members.
Synchronized Efforts to Safeguard the PSOE Leadership
The summary reveals that Cerdán and Díez devised strategies aimed at collecting compromising information on judges, prosecutors, and public figures to neutralize potential investigations harmful to Pedro Sánchez and his associates. These activities intensified notably after judicial proceedings were opened against the Prime Minister’s wife, Begoña Gómez, in April 2024. At that point, a series of meetings and leaks were initiated to “protect the interests at stake.”
Díez, known as “the plumber” of PSOE, played a key role in on-the-ground operations, while Cerdán, operating in a senior leadership position, oversaw the network’s activities. The Guardia Civil highlights that the organization operated with “unity of action and direction” to achieve its intended goals.
Links to the Hydrocarbons Case
In addition to attempting to obstruct ongoing legal proceedings, the network also aimed to shield Pedro Sánchez in relation to the so-called “Hydrocarbons Case.” Several prominent individuals tied to this matter, among them businessman Víctor de Aldama, have explicitly linked the Prime Minister to the affair, asserting that he knew about the illicit commissions paid to the former Minister of Transport. The investigation indicates that this issue was equally significant for Santos Cerdán and his team, who had been instructed to collect information and reduce its possible political impact.
Messages and Direct Evidence
The UCO’s investigation draws on messages and communications from Leire Díez that clearly mention directives issued by “El One,” a nickname used within the network to refer to Pedro Sánchez, and these exchanges outline instructions to undertake political and media efforts aimed at supporting the government and the Prime Minister.
Additionally, Felipe Villalba, a commander tied to another case involving sensitive information, recounted meetings in which assurances were offered about being able to sway crucial appointments within the Guardia Civil, and reports indicate that these maneuvers were directly associated with the Prime Minister.
Political and Judicial Impact on the PSOE
The scandal has caused significant political fallout. The repeated mention of Pedro Sánchez’s name in the reports reinforces allegations of improper resource and strategy management to shield the government. For the time being, the extent of Sánchez’s involvement and control over these activities remains under investigation by judicial authorities.
The ongoing investigation is still examining the extent of Sánchez’s “inner circle” responsibilities, along with the breadth of operations carried out during his administration, and if these accusations are validated, the case could set a significant precedent that challenges transparency and ethical standards in Spanish politics.
Source: El Mundo – https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2026/06/03/6a204b8bfdddff1a798b4595.html
