Spain’s National Court has initiated proceedings against former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero following a complaint filed by the Spanish conservative Catholic organisation Hazte Oír.
The decision, dated yesterday and made public today, stems from allegations of Zapatero’s alleged collaboration with the regime of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, recently captured by US forces.
Maduro is facing charges in New York related to alleged narcoterrorism, international drug trafficking and money laundering as part of the so-called “Cartel de los Soles”, an alleged drug trafficking network and related criminal group involving members of the Armed Forces of Venezuela.
Judge Antonio Piña has ordered the opening of preliminary inquiries to assess the nature and circumstances of Zapatero’s alleged offences, which include drug trafficking, money laundering and membership of a criminal organisation.
The judge has requested a report from the Public Prosecutor’s Office on whether the National Court has jurisdiction to proceed, given that the events involve a Spanish citizen and potential acts abroad with possible implications in Spain.
The complaint by Hazte Oír, lodged shortly after Maduro’s detention, argues that Zapatero maintained a “continued, direct, and privileged” relationship with him and other Venezuelan officials, allegedly contributing to the regime’s international operations and providing political cover.
The association points to Zapatero’s role as a mediator and election observer in Venezuela, as well as alleged economic links. They include references to family companies and past testimonies in related cases such as those involving former minister José Luis Ábalos and adviser Koldo García.
Hazte Oír had requested precautionary measures, including passport withdrawal and weekly court appearances for Zapatero, although these have not been granted so far.
The development follows years of scrutiny over Zapatero’s involvement in Venezuelan affairs, including his mediation efforts since 2015 and criticism from opposition figures who accuse him of whitewashing the regime under former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
The timing coincides with Maduro’s capture and the release of political prisoners in Venezuela, where Zapatero has been credited by some regime allies for mediation alongside figures like Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Qatar.
In parallel, the centre-right Popular Party (PP) has announced plans to summon Zapatero along with the entire leadership of the airline Plus Ultra to testify before the Senate’s Koldo commission of inquiry.
The PP, which holds a majority in the Senate, intends to expand the commission’s work to examine the controversial €53 million public rescue of Plus Ultra during the pandemic, alleged links to Venezuelan capital and potential connections to Zapatero’s “opaque” relations with Venezuela.
PP Senate spokesperson Alicia García stated that Zapatero “appears politically linked” and must clarify his role in what the party describes as one of the “most opaque networks surrounding the current Government”, connecting public bailouts, Venezuelan funds and anomalous administrative decisions.
The commission will also request the full rescue dossier from the State Industrial Participations Company (SEPI) and summon key figures, including Plus Ultra President Julio Martínez Sola, CEO Roberto Roselli and the entrepreneur Julio Martínez Martínez.
The PP emphasised that “the truth is going to come to light”, framing the move as part of a broader probe into scandals involving Plus Ultra and the energy group Forestalia.
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior significantly reinforced the security detail protecting the former prime minister’s residence in Las Rozas, Madrid, on the day US forces detained Maduro in Venezuela.
According to an exclusive report by El Debate published yesterday, the extraordinary measures included additional camouflaged vehicles, enhanced perimeter surveillance and intensified monitoring around the property from early morning.
This coincided precisely with the high-profile arrest ordered by US President Donald Trump.
Zapatero’s long-standing position has consistently framed his involvement as legitimate diplomatic and mediatory work.
He has repeatedly described his role since 2015–2016 as that of a neutral facilitator in dialogue between the Venezuelan government and opposition, aimed at preventing civil confrontation, and has insisted that his contacts were political rather than illicit.
He has defended his mediation efforts without acknowledging any criminal implications, portraying criticisms as politically motivated attacks.
His associates and the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) have similarly dismissed accusations of improper dealings as unfounded or part of opposition smear campaigns.
COMMENT: Spain was the only EU government to sign the statement denouncing Maduro’s arrest. Behind its staunch defence of international law, there is primarily panic and a desire among Spanish socialists to save their own skin, writes @rodballester. https://t.co/Jya55cBRUF
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 9, 2026
