Civil Guard Report Links Former Minister Ábalos to Controversial Meeting with Venezuelan Vice President
The Central Operative Unit of the Civil Guard (UCO) has unveiled troubling details surrounding former Spanish minister José Luis Ábalos in a report submitted to a judge investigating the Koldo case. This report includes a screenshot of a message where Ábalos informs current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez about an impending discreet visit from Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
In his communication, Ábalos noted that Rodríguez wished to meet him privately, marking a follow-up to prior discussions he had with her brother, who is the minister of communication in Venezuela. He also referenced an arrangement with Spanish companies that benefited Duro Felguera, a company collecting a significant debt in Venezuela, implicating a thread of international dealings.
This exchange between Ábalos and Sánchez, described as a culmination of conversations dating back to January 16, 2020, raises questions about the motivations and implications of the proposed meeting. Within the same exchange, Ábalos conveyed his impression that while Rodríguez wasn’t explicitly stating her intentions, she seemed to be keeping avenues for dialogue open without any dramatic objections from Sánchez.
However, the situation took a turn when Rodríguez's visit to Spain fell through, leading to further communications between her and Víctor de Aldama, a key figure in the Koldo plot. In those messages, Rodriguez inquired about Ábalos, and de Aldama relayed the discomfort expressed by Prime Minister Sánchez regarding the entire matter.
The revelations from the UCO continue to shed light on the intricacies of political interactions and possible influence in Franco-Venezuelan relations, inviting scrutiny on leadership decision-making processes and the ethical considerations behind ministerial communications and engagements with foreign officials.
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