Sánchez's 'protectors' before UCO: from Aina Calvo in the Interior Ministry to the 'fixer'

Amid a growing political and judicial storm involving the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, President Pedro Sánchez's government has made strategic moves at its top level to face the investigations affecting those closest to him. The recent appointment of Aina Calvo as the new Secretary of State for Security, replacing Rafael Pérez, is for many an attempt to strengthen political control over the Ministry of the Interior at a critical moment. Calvo thus joins the list of Sánchez's "protectors." This list already includes the "fixer" Leire Díez and was brought to light by businessman Javier Pérez Dolset. The latter has pointed to prominent socialists such as Santos Cerdán and Sánchez himself for acting against UCO.

Aina Calvo, former mayor of Palma and until now Secretary of State for Equality, has been appointed number two at the Ministry of the Interior by Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Her arrival at this post comes after the resignation of Rafael Pérez, who cited personal reasons for his departure.

However, the decision comes at a time of great tension within the Ministry. With UCO's investigations affecting figures close to President Pedro Sánchez, including his wife, Begoña Gómez, and his brother, David Sánchez.

Calvo isn't new to politics, but her career has had significant ups and downs. In 2014, she lost the Balearic PSOE primaries to Francina Armengol, which forced her to temporarily step away from frontline politics. That setback marked a turning point in her career, which for years seemed removed from the spotlight, until Sanchismo decided to bring her back.

Since 2018, President Pedro Sánchez has entrusted her with various positions, which shows the high regard the president has for her. She has served as ambassador to UNESCO and director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). More recently, she was Secretary of State for Equality. This steady progression within the government structure not only reflects her technical profile and internal loyalty, but also her ability to operate without generating public controversy.

Not for nothing, before becoming one of the faces of the Executive, Aina Calvo had already been a relevant figure within Spanish socialism. During the historic primaries between Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba and Carmen Chacón in 2012, Calvo firmly sided with Chacón. She sought to represent the option of a renewed and more modern socialism, although she ended up losing to the party's traditional apparatus. That bet didn't work out for her, but it confirmed her alignment with sectors of PSOE that, years later, would converge with President Pedro Sánchez's project.

Certain critical sectors of the government have tried to focus on her role as government delegate in the Balearic Islands regarding immigration. However, sources close to her point out that Calvo has had a political career free of judicial setbacks or media scandals. In an Executive shaken by multiple controversies, this image of discretion and technical reliability may have been decisive for her arrival at the Interior Ministry.

Sources close to PSOE agree that Calvo has been appointed not only for her institutional profile. Also as a gesture toward Marlaska himself, who was politically isolated within the Cabinet. Calvo, with whom he had already worked in the past, could serve as an effective liaison between the Interior Ministry, Moncloa, and Ferraz, in an especially delicate period for the State structure.

It's also seen as an attempt to put out internal fires caused by leaked audios and the growing sense of lack of control at the Ministry of the Interior, whose crisis management has been questioned even within the party itself.

Pérez Dolset and the Accusations of a Campaign Against UCO

Meanwhile, businessman Javier Pérez Dolset, who was investigated for fraud at the National Court, has directly implicated President Pedro Sánchez and PSOE's Secretary of Organization, Santos Cerdán, in an alleged operation to discredit UCO. In recordings released by various media outlets, Pérez Dolset claims that Sánchez and Cerdán led a strategy to obtain compromising information about Civil Guard agents and prosecutors investigating sensitive cases for the government.

Dolset is known for his role as founder and main shareholder of Zed Worldwide. A technology company prominent in the field of video games and digital services. In addition, he played a key role in the meeting where Leire Díez, journalist and PSOE "fixer," offered a deal with the Prosecutor's Office to businessman Alejandro Hamlyn. This individual is a defendant at the National Court for hydrocarbon fraud.

In 2017, Pérez Dolset was arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidies after the bankruptcy of Zed Worldwide, being prosecuted at the National Court. He was released from prison after posting a €60,000 bail.

In the audios, Pérez Dolset states: "This is President Pedro Sánchez, directly with Cerdán, with Santos Cerdán, and directly with Leire. Also, there are very few additional people who have the information and it's going to stay that way."

The businessman has also claimed that Leire Díez was in charge of handling Ferraz's propaganda apparatus. He states that she reported her achievements to PSOE's number 3 and the president of the government.

These revelations have intensified opposition criticism. The leader of the People's Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, accuses Sánchez of being the "boss" of a "mafia" seeking to obstruct judicial investigations.

Leire Díez: The PSOE "Fixer" in the Eye of the Storm

Another name that has emerged in this web is Leire Díez. This journalist and socialist activist, according to various reports, allegedly offered "free lawyers" to businessmen in exchange for information to harm UCO. Díez, linked to the Ferraz circle, is said to have held meetings with indicted businessmen, promising influence in the Prosecutor's Office and possible pardons in exchange for cooperation.

Her career includes positions in institutional communications at public companies such as ENUSA and Correos. As well as a period as councilor and deputy mayor in Vega de Pas, Cantabria. She has also publicly shown her support for President Pedro Sánchez, sharing images with him and other socialist leaders.

PSOE has tried to distance itself from Díez, denying that she has any employment relationship with the party and stating that she doesn't speak on its behalf. However, her closeness to key PSOE figures and her involvement in this alleged operation have caused deep unease within socialist ranks.

The Challenge of UCO and the Government's Response

UCO, responsible for investigating corruption cases involving those close to the president, finds itself in a delicate position. The accusations of a campaign to discredit it have raised concerns about the independence of institutions and the separation of powers.

The government, meanwhile, has denied any involvement in these alleged operations and has defended UCO's work. Minister Marlaska has dissociated Rafael Pérez's resignation from recent controversies, including the ammunition contract with an Israeli company and the leaked audios of Leire Díez.

The appointment of Aina Calvo and the revelations about alleged operations to discredit UCO highlight the complex situation of President Pedro Sánchez's government. While the opposition intensifies its criticism and investigations continue, the Executive seeks to strengthen its political control and keep stability at a time of high institutional tension.