Guardia Civil generals confirm they were told to 'stand aside' in politically sensitive investigations involving PM's family
Former heads of the UCO unit testified before judge Santiago Pedraz that senior Guardia Civil commanders instructed them to avoid proactive investigations in cases affecting Pedro Sánchez and his relatives.
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.
- Leonardo Marcos tells UCO chief the request in David Sánchez probe is 'speculative and malicious', demands report showing no wrongdoing.
- DAO Manuel Llamas visits UCO offices, instructs investigators to 'stand aside' in cases with political impact.
- UCO officers question Yuste and López Malo about alleged orders from the Guardia Civil leadership to curb investigations.
- Yuste and López Malo meet Mercedes González, who later claims she mentioned Leire Díez; witnesses deny this.
- González asserts before Senate that she discussed Leire Díez with the UCO commanders.
- Yuste and López Malo testify at Audiencia Nacional, confirming orders and disputing González's version.
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.
