Spanish Judge José Luis Calama has charged former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero as the leader of a criminal organization accused of influence trafficking. According to an 85-page ruling, Zapatero allegedly used his political influence to secure a €53 million government rescue loan for the airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic in exchange for €1.5 million for himself and €400,000 for his daughters, channeled through multiple companies including a China-focused lobby group.