Unveiling the Air Europa Rescue: Intercepted Communications Shed Light on Political Maneuvering
The Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard has made significant progress in its investigation into the Air Europa rescue, revealing a complex web of communications involving key figures within Spain's political landscape. At the center of this controversy is Víctor de Aldama, alleged intermediary in the Koldo plot, who reportedly relayed crucial information about the rescue to Javier Hidalgo, the then CEO of Globalia.
According to intercepted communications analyzed by investigators, de Aldama indicated that José Luis Ábalos, during his tenure as Minister of Transport, discussed the rescue of Air Europa with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. These conversations, seized from electronic devices during the investigation, seem to suggest that de Aldama was leveraging his connections to influence the outcome of the financial assistance aimed at supporting the distressed airline industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reports indicate that on July 1, 2020, de Aldama communicated with Hidalgo regarding a meeting with Ábalos and other officials about obtaining a new ICO loan, indicating the urgency and importance of the discussions at hand. In a series of messages, he noted that there would be participants in the meeting, referring to them in a casual yet clear manner, demonstrating an established rapport among the parties involved.
The Civil Guard asserts that on July 16, 2020, an encounter took place between Prime Minister Sánchez and key individuals, including Ábalos and Nadia Calviño, the Minister of Economy, whom de Aldama referred to as 'the one from Treasury.' This meeting was crucial as it linked direct political dialogue to the financial needs of Air Europa.
Post this meeting, de Aldama informed Hidalgo of the situation, suggesting that negotiations were proceeding smoothly. He texted Hidalgo stating, "K says the 1 has already called him, and as soon as I know, I’ll tell you if the call was effective.” This exchange suggests a level of influence and access that de Aldama had to pivotal political discussions.
In subsequent communications, De Aldama outlined the procedural steps taken towards securing the necessary funds, frequently referencing Ábalos's involvement in these negotiations. For instance, he mentioned that he would reach out to Pedro Saura, then Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Transport, and Housing regarding the rescue plan's conditions—a sign of ongoing high-level coordination.
By September 4, 2020, de Aldama relayed a screenshot of a conversation with Ábalos to Hidalgo, revealing an acknowledgment of the direct line Ábalos had with Bartolomé, the vice president of SEPI, the entity that ultimately provided financial assistance to Air Europa. This crucial detail underscores the shifting dynamics in which SEPI, and not ICO loans as initially anticipated, became the financial body to oversee the rescue, signifying a possible oversight or strategic change in approach.
Overall, the intercepted communications raise significant questions regarding the depth of political negotiations linked to corporate bailouts. The UCO report emphasizes that these actions and connections demonstrate a troubling intertwining of interests and possible influence peddling, calling for further scrutiny of how public resources are negotiated and disbursed during critical times.
As investigations continue, the implications of these findings could reverberate across Spain's corporate and political arenas, potentially reshaping views on governance, accountability, and integrity within public dealings.
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