Guardia Civil generals confirm they were told to 'stand aside' in politically sensitive investigations involving PM's family

Orders to stand aside

Two Guardia Civil generals, Rafael Yuste and Alfonso López Malo, confirmed in court on 26 June 2026 that the force's leadership told them to "stand aside" and not be proactive in investigations with political implications. The testimony, given as witnesses in the Leire Díez case at Spain's Audiencia Nacional, referred to probes including those involving the prime minister's brother David Sánchez and his wife Begoña Gómez. Yuste, who led the UCO from 2023 to 2025, said the instruction came from then deputy operations director (DAO) Manuel Llamas during a July 2024 meeting.

“The UCO's request was totally speculative and malicious.”

Former director general Leonardo Marcos, according to case documents, called the UCO's work on the David Sánchez case "totally speculative and malicious" and demanded a report concluding "there was nothing". Yuste stated he did not perceive the instructions as pressure, and both generals insisted the guidance was generic rather than aimed solely at PSOE-related matters.

Mercedes González contradicted

Yuste and López Malo also directly challenged the version given by current director general Mercedes González. González had claimed in the Senate on 16 June that she mentioned Leire Díez during a meeting with the two generals on 29 May 2025. Under questioning from prosecutor Elena Lorente, both witnesses stated that González never referred to Leire Díez in that encounter. The meeting was intended to express support for UCO investigations affecting the PSOE, and the atmosphere was described as correct but tense.

The Leire Díez case

Judge Santiago Pedraz is investigating whether a campaign to discredit UCO investigators was orchestrated from within the Guardia Civil, and whether orders were given to open disciplinary files against officers handling cases linked to the PSOE or Pedro Sánchez's circle. One of the private prosecutors, Hazte Oir, has already requested that Mercedes González be charged, noting she acknowledged holding several meetings with Leire Díez. González denies acting against the UCO at Díez's request. The inquiry also examines whether a July 2024 meeting, attended by Llamas and then head of judicial police Alfonso López Malo, was part of a pattern of interference.

Judicial independence in focus

The testimony unfolded against a backdrop of strained institutional relations. At a separate event organised by the Instituto de España, Supreme Court magistrate Pablo Lucas warned of erosion of the rule of law, urging loyalty to institutions especially from those in public office. Ana Fernández-Tresguerres, secretary general of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence, described criticism of the judiciary from other branches of power as a "very serious breach of democratic principles".

“If you don't believe in a judge, you don't believe in democracy.”