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 Judicial Impact on the PSOE
The scandal has caused significant political fallout. The repeated mention of Pedro Sánchez’s name in the reports reinforces allegations of improper resource and strategy management to shield the government. For the time being, the extent of Sánchez’s involvement and control over these activities remains under investigation by judicial authorities.
The ongoing investigation is still examining the extent of Sánchez’s “inner circle” responsibilities, along with the breadth of operations carried out during his administration, and if these accusations are validated, the case could set a significant precedent that challenges transparency and ethical standards in Spanish politics.
Source: El Mundo – https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2026/06/03/6a204b8bfdddff1a798b4595.html
