Stories from Madrid · Spain

Three central figures in the 'Mascarillas' case, identified as Ábalos, Coldo, and Aldama, are scheduled to testify before the Supreme Court today. The proceedings follow developments regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The source noted the testimony is expected to occur during today's court session. The proceedings are expected to provide new information regarding the investigation. Victor de Aldama is scheduled to provide an exhaustive statement at the Supreme Court starting at 10:00. The source noted that Aldama's declaration is expected to be comprehensive. The report notes ongoing scrutiny regarding political connections to figures like Maduro and Zapatero. Former Minister Ábalos is scheduled to testify tomorrow at the Supreme Court regarding a mask procurement investigation.

The shareholders' meeting of Fidere, a Blackstone subsidiary, ratified the sale of housing assets to the Canadian vulture fund Brookfield for 1,050,000 euros. The sale involves 5,300 homes, of which 1,860 were originally public housing.

The Vox party has brought a motion to the Spanish Senate to promote the illegality of the platform known as Coco. The platform, which was previously closed in June 2024 and registered abroad, has become accessible again under a new name.

Spain's new Finance Minister, Arcadia, stated that addressing economic uncertainty is the government's current priority. The minister also noted that confronting the consequences of the war in Iran is a key focus.

Retired Guardia Civil Colonel Diego Pérez de los Cobos testified in the Kitchen trial, denying the use of reserved funds to spy on and steal evidence from Luis Barcelás. The investigation involves 48,000 euros in reserved funds received by the driver, which were questioned as far back as 2015. A retired colonel, Pérez de los Cobos, admitted he never investigated specific expenses from the 'Fonda de Reservados' fund. The investigation involves allegations that a driver for Barzenas received 700 euros to purchase a pistol. The colonel described the management mechanics of the fund but could not recall if the specific expenditure was on the list. Colonel Diego Pérez de los Cobos testified at the Audiencia Nacional that he does not recall any payments from reserved funds intended for spying on the PP treasurer. The testimony is part of the ongoing Gurtel case trial.

Employment figures in Spain have seen the worst start to a year since 2013, according to reports in the press. The country saw 170,300 fewer employed persons and 31,500 more unemployed persons compared to the previous period. Some analysts suggest the Holy Week calendar in April may distort quarterly comparisons. The report contains contradictory headlines regarding the data, with one metric measuring flow in January and March and another measuring the accumulation of unemployed persons. The government and opposition reportedly use different metrics to support their respective political narratives. Analysts suggest that previous claims of 170,000 occupants were a mirage involving temporary campaign contracts rather than structural employment. The current situation is linked to high poverty rates, inaccessible housing, low wages, and loss of purchasing power.

A witness in the Gurtel investigation case testified that they were pressured to manipulate reports to exclude the name of Mariano Rajoy. The testimony follows ongoing scrutiny regarding corruption and brand wear. A witness has alleged that senior officials applied pressure to prevent the investigation from prioritizing documents related to Bárcenas. Additionally, the witness claimed that while in charge of the Gurtel case, they never proposed spying on the Bárcenas family. The source also noted that there was no evidence the driver of the excess vehicle was acting as a police informant. Chief Inspector Manuel Morocho, who led the Gurtel investigation, claims he faced pressure to modify reports regarding Bárcenas's documents. Morocho stated that these pressures increased after the PP entered government and gained control over the police.

Data shows 297 deputies in the Spanish Congress own at least one additional property, representing 85% of the total deputies. This ownership rate is significantly higher than the 74% reported for the rest of Spanish society.

The spouse of Adorno and Pagosa was reportedly found with $10,000 in cash in Spain. The report suggests the individual traveled using these funds. Questions have been raised regarding how a woman paid 6,000 dollars in cash during a trip to Spain.

Atletico Madrid will host Arsenal in a semifinal match at the Estadio Metropolitano at 9:00 PM. The team faces absences of Barrios, Jiménez, and Nico González, who was injured during the last training session. Manager Diego Simeone is uncertain if Lukman will start the match despite training normally. Atletico Madrid is set to host Arsenal London at the Metropolitano Stadium for a semifinal match. Approximately 3,500 Arsenal supporters are expected to arrive for the game. Around 1,500 security and emergency personnel will be deployed to manage the event. The winner will advance to the final in Budapest scheduled for May 30. The first leg of the Champions League semifinal between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal London takes place this evening. The second leg is scheduled to be held in Munich in one week. This follows a high-scoring match involving Bayern Munich.