Everything related to a plot of corruption and influence peddling
The ‘Mediator case’, which has had the Canary Islands as its main scenario, has been at the center of a political and informational hurricane this past week, due to the repercussions it may have in the coming months, with the May elections just around the corner corner. But, What does it consist of? Who are involved? In this article, the main keys to understanding the entire plot are collected.
What is the ‘Mediator case’?
It is a case related to a plot of corruption in the Canary Islands and extortion of businessmen linked to the livestock and food sector of the Islands. Among the main accusations against those involved are bribery, money laundering, forgery, influence peddling in the processing of aid from the European Union to the livestock industry in the Archipelago and belonging to a criminal organization.
What was the trigger for the conspiracy to be uncovered?
To find the beginnings, you have to go back to the month of December 2021, specifically in Tenerife. The former insular director of Sports of the Tenerife Cabildo, Ángel Luis Pérez, whose position was assigned by the PSOE, denounced a series of charges on his card El Corte Inglés, for an amount of 2,575 euros, which he had not done directly. As the investigation of the complaint progresses, the Police obtain the statement of the call ‘mediator’ who claims to have “strong evidence” in which it is clear that the charges made against Pérez are not the only ones, but that there are more people from different areas of public life, who are part of these operations -a priori, habitual-. However, the complaint was filed, but the “mediator” allowed the investigators access to his phone calls, so that the plot was finally uncovered.
Who is the ‘mediator’?
The protagonist is a businessman Marco Antonio Navarro Tacoronte, who fulfilled the functions of mediator during the investigation process. His main job was to establish contact between other businessmen and the political side. In the conversations that the investigators were able to access, there would be evidence that there was alleged favorable treatment in exchange for political favors.
What was the operation of the ‘Mediator case’?
Between the years 2020 and 2021, the farmers and producers of Canarian cheeses would have received economic requests from those involved, as consideration for their farms not being inspected, or for reducing or removing fines, as well as streamlining procedures for subsidies . In this way, employers had to bear the costs related to political meetings -approximately 5,000 euros- that were dispensed in dinners, hotels, flights, drugs and prostitutes.
What are the main stakeholders?
From the Prosecutor’s Office, the main person investigated as the head of the operation is Juan Bernardo Fuentes Curbelo, already a former national deputy of the PSOE, seconded by the General of the Civil Guard Francisco Espinosa Navas and by Navarro Tacoronte himself. The trio requested an “economic toll” of approximately 5,000 euros from the farmers and promised a series of privileges in terms of public procurement. The meetings between those involved were held in the Congress of Deputies and at the headquarters of the Civil Guard in Madrid, to surround everything with an air of solemnity.
What were their roles?
Francisco Espinosa Navas. For now, the only one who is in prison. General of the Civil Guard by profession, Internal Affairs of the meritorious indicates that he was in charge of receiving bribes from businessmen. He ordered Seprona to visit different cattle farms, which caused the owners to be forced to pay the commissions imposed, with the aim of “saving themselves” from the consequences of possible irregularities found in the inspections.
Juan Bernardo Fuentes Curbelo. Deputy of the PSOE since 2020 – he resigned shortly after the case broke out – he held the position of General Director of Livestock of the Government of the Canary Islands at the beginning of this legislature. After leaving office, his replacement was Taishet Fuentes, who has also been arrested. Fuentes collected “commissions” from businessmen and took care of expediting subsidies and public contracts. The “payments” were recorded in the accounts of the Vega de Tetir Sports Association, of which he was president.
Taishet Fuentes. He is pointed out by the investigators as the fundamental character in the alleged operations of the plot. He was removed from his position in the Regional Executive last summer. The argument used by the Government of the Canary Islands was “for loss of confidence”, although the party itself was going to present him as a candidate for mayor of the municipality of Antigua in the elections next May. His main function, in theory, was to “manipulate files” and assert his privileged position.
What might be the political implications?
The main affected, in principle, can be the PSOE, although the Socialists have been “forceful” when it comes to dispelling doubts about the involvement of the party in the entire process. The PP, for its part, in the words of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, indicated that what has come to light is “only the tip of the iceberg”, in a case where the Socialists are trying to cover up an ethical “bomb”, since it is related to sensitive issues such as prostitution and drugs.