Els PortsL'Alt MaestratEl Baix MaestratL'AlcalaténLa Plana AltaLa Plana BaixaL'Alt MillarsL'Alt PalànciaEl Racó d'AdemúsEls SerransEl Camp de TúriaEl Camp de MorvedreL'Horta NordL'Horta de ValènciaL'Horta OestL'Horta SudLa Plana d'Utiel-RequenaLa Foia de BunyolLa Vall de CofrentsLa Ribera AltaLa Ribera BaixaLa Canal de NavarrésLa CosteraLa Vall d'AlbaidaLa SaforEl ComtatL'AlcoiàL'Alt VinalopóEl Vinalopó MitjàLa Marina AltaLa Marina BaixaL'AlacantíEl Baix VinalopóEl Baix SeguraEls PortsL'Alt MaestratEl Baix MaestratL'AlcalaténLa Plana AltaLa Plana BaixaL'Alt MillarsL'Alt PalànciaEl Racó d'AdemúsEls SerransEl Camp de TúriaEl Camp de MorvedreL'Horta NordL'Horta de ValènciaL'Horta OestL'Horta SudLa Plana d'Utiel-RequenaLa Foia de BunyolLa Vall de CofrentsLa Ribera AltaLa Ribera BaixaLa Canal de NavarrésLa CosteraLa Vall d'AlbaidaLa SaforEl ComtatL'AlcoiàL'Alt VinalopóEl Vinalopó MitjàLa Marina AltaLa Marina BaixaL'AlacantíEl Baix VinalopóEl Baix Segura
VA|ES|EN
Diari Valencià logo

Diari Valencià

UDEF finds gold, oil, and Venezuela dealings in Julio Martínez's diaries

The Alicante businessman, considered Zapatero's frontman, is allegedly involved in international operations and dealings concerning political prisoners.

Image of a handwritten agenda with references to gold, oil, and Venezuela.
IA

Image of a handwritten agenda with references to gold, oil, and Venezuela.

The Economic and Fiscal Crimes Unit (UDEF) has found references to oil and gold operations from Venezuela, as well as dealings concerning political prisoners and the potential repatriation of opposition figure Edmundo González, in the diaries of Alicante businessman Julio Martínez Martínez.

Investigations into the Plus Ultra case are broadening their focus on the role of Julio Martínez Martínez, whom the UDEF identifies as a key figure in an alleged influence network linked to former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Agents attribute to the businessman a role that “notably transcends the scope of a businessman,” according to the notes seized from his home.
During the search of his home in Madrid's Salamanca district, €286,070 in cash was found hidden in various locations, along with nine watches, fourteen mobile phones, laptops, and assorted documentation. The money was distributed across multiple hiding spots, including a travel bag, the bathroom, plastic bags, a glass box, a Christmas bag, a golf bag, and even inside a radiator. Envelopes with Chinese characters containing money were also discovered.
The investigation also places Martínez at the center of a corporate structure that allegedly channeled funds from the airline company Plus Ultra, which received a €53 million bailout. According to the court documents, a contract signed on January 19, 2021, stipulated a 1% commission on the public aid amount, with the expectation that the bailout would be approved quickly.
The seized handwritten diaries contain “agreements, decisions, commitments, and responsibilities of the highest level,” with references to international political matters. The UDEF points to potential dealings related to the “liberation of prisoners in Venezuela” and contacts with intelligence services. The notes delve into decisions of national scope.
Furthermore, the UDEF reveals that Julio Martínez may have also participated in gold and oil trading operations with international interests, and has maintained a commercial relationship with Venezuelan businessman Domingo Amaro Chacón since September 2021.
The case, being handled by the Audiencia Nacional (National Court), remains open and is analyzing the roles of various companies, financial flows, and potential international connections within an alleged influence network related to the Plus Ultra bailout.

Related News