Government · Madrid
Guardia Civil chief denies UCO plot before Senate: 'I do not control anyone through the back door'
Mercedes González, director of Spain's Guardia Civil, on Tuesday rejected allegations that she obstructed investigations into the government, acknowledging meetings with former PSOE militant Leire Díez but insisting she never pressured the anti-corruption unit.
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In brief
The director of the Guardia Civil repeatedly stated she had never participated in any campaign to discredit the UCO, nor acted under influence of Leire Díez.
González admitted three meetings with Díez in late 2024 and early 2025, while UCO reports note automatic message deletion was activated days after she was alerted about the alleged discredit operation.
Senator Luis Santamaría called the affair an attempted coup and treason, demanding González's resignation and linking her to a purge within the Guardia Civil.
- 30 MayGonzález informs UCO head Balas of her meetings with Díez
- 31 MayInterior Minister Grande-Marlaska meets UCO command to express support
- 16 JunGonzález testifies before Senate, denies interference
A denial under oath
González, appearing before the Senate's Interior Committee, repeatedly used the phrase "never, ever" to reject any suggestion that she had participated in a campaign to discredit the Central Operative Unit (UCO) or had taken orders from Leire Díez. "I do not control anyone through the back door," she said, adding that she has always respected the institution. She also apologized: "I deeply regret that the Corps has been affected insofar as I am concerned. To each of them I want to express my most sincere apologies."
Admitted meetings and WhatsApp deletion
Despite earlier official denials from the Interior Ministry, González acknowledged three face-to-face meetings with Díez on 30 September 2024, 20 December 2024, and 2 April 2025, though she insisted they were personal and unrelated to Guardia Civil affairs. A UCO report revealed that she had been informed of the alleged discredit operation by at least 8 May 2025 and that the WhatsApp chat between her and Díez activated automatic message deletion three days later, on 11 May. The report also noted that the pair exchanged messages on the same morning González ordered an internal investigation into the UCO. González disclosed that on 30 May 2025 she informed the UCO's head, Teniente Coronel Antonio Balas, that she knew Díez and had met her on occasion. The following day, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska met the same command to express support.
Political escalation
The opposition People's Party (PP) sharpened its rhetoric during the hearing. Senator Luis Santamaría described the affair as an "attempted coup against institutions and the rule of law" and accused the prime minister of "treason." He questioned why González had not filed a lawsuit against Díez and asked, "Is it a coincidence that barely 12 hours after talking with Leire, you and your little Gestapo began purging your own people?" Santamaría repeated his call for González's immediate resignation.
Salary spotlight
The controversy also drew attention to González's annual gross salary of €138,240.66, a figure higher than that of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (€110,397.28) and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska (€99,757.68). The comparison emerged as part of the scrutiny over her tenure.
- Mercedes González (Guardia Civil)
- 138240.66 €
- Pedro Sánchez (Prime Minister)
- 110397.28 €
- Fernando Grande-Marlaska (Interior)
- 99757.68 €
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Sources and context
- EL MUNDOLa directora General de la Guardia Civil lo niega todo: "Jamás, nunca, he participado en ninguna trama contra la Guardia Civil. Es mi casa, es mi familia"
- EL PAÍSMercedes González niega haber presionado "nunca jamás" a la UCO o estar influenciada por Leire Díez
- eldiario.esEl PP acusa de "intento de golpe" de Estado y de "traición" a Pedro Sánchez por el caso Leire
- La RazónEste es el salario que cobra Mercedes González como directora de la Guardia Civil
- Mercedes González
- Director General of the Guardia Civil since 2023
- Leire Díez
- Former PSOE militant alleged to have orchestrated a plot to discredit Guardia Civil investigations
- Pedro Sánchez
- Prime Minister of Spain, whose family and government are targets of UCO investigations
- Fernando Grande-Marlaska
- Spain's Minister of the Interior
- Luis Santamaría
- People's Party (PP) senator and spokesman on the Interior Committee
- Antonio Balas
- Teniente coronel and head of UCO investigations affecting the PSOE and Government
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