The link of the Koldo case in Mexico: an institutional trip to the Aztec country set everything in motion

The Koldo case may have been forged outside Spanish borders with a trip by Ábalos and Koldo to Mexico. The main figures in this alleged corruption case visited Mexico in 2019 to secure contracts for the Maya Train. According to Aldama in his voluntary statement before the judge last November, that's when the relationships between Koldo, Ábalos, and him began.

This was an institutional trip with the Iberian delegation, led by Minister Ábalos. On this trip, Aldama was introduced as honorary consul of Spain in Oaxaca and Koldo García was introduced as the minister's advisor.

The then Minister of Development and his advisor Koldo turned to the businessman for his contacts among Mexican authorities, according to Aldama himself. The goal was to secure the contract for the Maya Train project, from López Obrador's government, for the public company INECO. Aldama was allegedly responsible for organizing this official trip and the corresponding security arrangements with the authorities.

Also attending this official visit, dated February 4, 2019, were an advisor to the minister, Ricardo Mar, and the president of INECO, Carmen Librero. The result was the signing of a contract worth €13.2 million (13.2 million euros) for INECO in consortium with a German company, according to Reforma. 

The Maya Train is a railway line that connects the southeastern region of Mexico. This is one of the major measures promised by former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to strengthen railway infrastructure. On December 15, 2023, the first sections of this railway line were inaugurated.

INECO and the Ábalos Case

Last April, INECO submitted to the Supreme Court a total of 203 daily work reports sent by Ábalos's ex-girlfriend, Jéssica Rodríguez. These documents proved this woman's work; however, she herself confessed that she was paid for two years without performing any tasks. In her statement, Jéssica also revealed that she was allegedly hired due to Ábalos's influence.

According to INECO, Jéssica was missing 13 work reports. The former partner of the ex-minister was hired in 2019 without the vacancy being published because, according to the company, their internal guidelines didn't require it. She held the position of administrative assistant until February 2021 to provide support in the management of Adif's project and construction files.

This public company isn't the only one that has operated in Mexico thanks to the mediation of the alleged individuals involved in the Koldo case. Two other Spanish construction companies – the AZVI group and Acciona – secured train contracts in the North American country.

AZVI and the Koldo Case

According to Reforma, AZVI partnered with the Mexican group INDI to secure the contract for Section 3, valued at more than €1 million (one million euros). This project is also part of the Maya Train project and connects the cities of Calkiní and Izamal, with 99 mi. (160 km) of railway track.

Subsequently, AZVI-INDI was contracted by the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense to build 12 mi. (20 km) of Section 5 South.

In his statement as a suspect last December before the Supreme Court, Aldama identified AZVI as one of the construction companies involved in the Koldo case. The construction company has filed a lawsuit against him after the businessman claimed to have received €18,000 (18,000 euros) from them.

According to Aldama, he was responsible for mediating between these companies and the awarding of projects, and subsequently received commissions.

Acciona and the Koldo Case

The construction company Acciona secured the contract for Section 5 of the Maya Train, although it was ultimately rescinded due to a change in the route. Judge Leopoldo Puente has identified this company as part of the alleged corruption scheme, specifically as the "eloquent common denominator."

The court order states that this company and those with which it formed a joint venture never submitted "the best financial offer."

The Supreme Court estimates that the contracts under suspicion could exceed €600 million (600 million euros). Of that amount, €537 million (537 million euros) are distributed among five contracts for Acciona. 

Next Monday, July 7, one of its former executives, Fernando Merino, will testify before the Supreme Court. On the same day, Judge Leopoldo Puente will decide whether to charge Acciona as a legal entity.