Nervis Villalobos invokes right to silence in Spanish nationality case

Former Venezuelan Vice Minister Nervis Villalobos has exercised his right to remain silent during questioning by National Court judge Santiago Pedraz. The investigation, known as the Leire Díez case, examines alleged irregularities regarding how Villalobos obtained Spanish nationality through the Democratic Memory Law, often referred to as the “law of grandchildren.”

Villalobos’s defense team previously requested a postponement of the hearing, arguing that the original documents used for his application, including his grandmother’s birth certificates and passport, were submitted to the Central Civil Registry and are not in his possession. Judge Pedraz rejected this request.

The case involves allegations of efforts to frustrate judicial proceedings affecting the Spanish government. Investigators are looking into handwritten notes found in the possession of former socialist activist Leire Díez, which reportedly contain references to meetings regarding “nationality” and “Nervis,” potentially linking former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to the matter. While a justice official testified that no irregularities were observed in the granting of the nationality, the investigation into the procedural connections continues.