The Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Guardia Civil has determined that the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, identified under the code name “El One,” was the main beneficiary of the operations carried out by an alleged network led by Santos Cerdán and Leire Díez. According to the case summary obtained by El Mundo, the network operated with the goal of protecting PSOE’s interests and stalling judicial investigations that affected both the party and government members.
Synchronized Efforts to Safeguard the PSOE Leadership
The summary indicates that Cerdán and Díez developed tactics designed to gather compromising details about judges, prosecutors, and other public figures in order to suppress any inquiries that might negatively affect Pedro Sánchez and his circle. These efforts grew significantly after judicial proceedings were launched against the Prime Minister’s wife, Begoña Gómez, in April 2024. From that moment, various meetings and planned leaks were set in motion to safeguard the interests involved.
Díez, known as “the plumber” of PSOE, played a key role in on-the-ground operations, while Cerdán, operating in a senior leadership position, oversaw the network’s activities. The Guardia Civil highlights that the organization operated with “unity of action and direction” to achieve its intended goals.
References to the Hydrocarbons Case
In addition to its efforts to derail legal cases, the network sought to protect Pedro Sánchez within the framework of the so-called “Hydrocarbons Case.” Key figures in this case, including businessman Víctor de Aldama, have directly implicated the Prime Minister, claiming he was aware of illegal commissions paid to the former Minister of Transport. According to the investigation, this issue was also crucial to Santos Cerdán and his team, who were directly ordered to gather information and mitigate its potential political repercussions.
Communications and Clear Evidence
The UCO’s investigation includes messages and communications from Leire Díez that explicitly reference instructions given by “El One,” a nickname within the network used to identify Pedro Sánchez. These messages include directives to take political and media action in defense of the government and the Prime Minister.
Additionally, Felipe Villalba, a commander involved in another sensitive information case, disclosed meetings where promises were made regarding the ability to influence key appointments within the Guardia Civil. According to reports, these strategies were directly linked to the Prime Minister.
Political and Legal Influence on the PSOE
The scandal has triggered considerable political repercussions, and the frequent appearance of Pedro Sánchez’s name in the reports further underscores the claims of mishandled resources and strategies intended to protect the government, while judicial authorities continue to examine the scope of Sánchez’s role and oversight in these actions.
The ongoing investigation continues to scrutinize the responsibilities of Sánchez’s “inner circle” and the full scope of operations conducted under his administration. If these allegations are confirmed, this could become a landmark case, calling into question transparency and ethical practices in Spanish politics.
Source: El Mundo – https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2026/06/03/6a204b8bfdddff1a798b4595.html