Plus Ultra former president testifies regarding Zapatero-linked commissions

Plus Ultra rescue influence peddling José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero SEPI Julio Martínez Sola

Julio Martínez Sola, former president of the airline Plus Ultra, testified before the Audiencia Nacional regarding the Plus Ultra case. He confirmed that the company paid a commission equivalent to 1% of its 53 million euro state rescue to companies linked to Julio Martínez Martínez, an associate of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Martínez Sola stated that the payments, totaling approximately 530,000 euros, were intended to secure the mediation of Zapatero to facilitate the rescue package provided by the SEPI in 2021. He described the decision as a desperate measure taken while the airline was in a critical financial state. The payments were channeled through three entities: Análisis Relevante, Voli Analítica, and IOT Domotic Europe.

According to the testimony, Zapatero personally contacted Martínez Sola via a hidden number in April 2020, offering assistance and introducing him to Martínez Martínez. While Martínez Sola admitted the company paid these sums for what were euphemistically called 'accompaniment' services, he noted that he did not have specific knowledge of the exact actions Zapatero performed to influence the administration.

Entities

Audiencia Nacional · Homeland Security Investigations · José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero · Julio Martínez Martínez · Julio Martínez Sola · Plus Ultra · Rodolfo Reyes · Rosinés Chávez Rodríguez · SEPI

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Messages from the phone of former Plus Ultra shareholder Rodolfo Reyes were provided to the UDEF on March 18, 2026, by US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.eldia.es · www.levante-emv.com
[● 5 SOURCES] A photograph of Rosinés Chávez Rodríguez’s diplomatic passport was shared during the communications. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.eldia.es · www.levante-emv.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Julio Martínez Sola discussed arrangements to have Rosinés Chávez Rodríguez travel incognito to avoid attention. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.eldia.es · www.levante-emv.com
[● 3 SOURCES] On July 3, 2020, Rodolfo Reyes ordered former Plus Ultra president Julio Martínez Sola to transport Rosinés Chávez Rodríguez on an Airbus A340-600. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Zapatero directed communications regarding the rescue to his associate, Julio Martínez Martínez. www.lancelotdigital.com · www.lacronicabadajoz.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Zapatero called Martínez Sola from a hidden number in April 2020 to offer assistance with the rescue. www.lancelotdigital.com · www.lacronicabadajoz.com · elinformadorve.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The 530,000 euro commission was channeled through three companies: Análisis Relevante, Voli Analítica, and IOT Domotic Europe. www.lancelotdigital.com · www.lne.es
[DISPUTED] Julio Martínez Sola testified that Plus Ultra paid a 1% commission on its state rescue to secure the funds. www.lancelotdigital.com · www.esdiario.com · www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.lne.es · +3 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Rodolfo Reyes ordered Julio Martínez Sola to transport Rosinés Chávez Rodríguez incognito on an Airbus A340-600. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.eldia.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.levante-emv.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Rosinés Chávez Rodríguez was transported incognito on an Airbus A340-600 to Caracas during the pandemic. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.eldia.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.levante-emv.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The SEPI provided a 53 million euro rescue package to Plus Ultra in 2021. www.lancelotdigital.com · www.esdiario.com · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.libertaddigital.com · elinformadorve.com · +1 more
[DISPUTED] Julio Martínez Sola testified that Plus Ultra paid a 1% commission on its state rescue to facilitate mediation. www.lancelotdigital.com · www.esdiario.com · www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.lne.es · +3 more