Alex Cuenca

🇪🇸 José Luis Ábalos, former Minister of Transport, denies discussing with Globalia's ex-CEO Javier Hidalgo during the mask transportation process in the pandemic. He admits speaking with Air Europa, which provided planes at a loss, but does not specify with whom. Ábalos refutes claims about Nicolas Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, landing in Barajas with 40 suitcases, dismissing it as a typical falsehood. He clarifies that Rodríguez's visit is unrelated to Venezuela's alleged 100 million debt to Air Europa despite EU sanctions. He also mentions the legal protection of airport tapes, feels sidelined by Pedro Sánchez's government, and expresses a desire to return to Latin America.

🌊 In the Balearic Islands, the government is considering legal ways to exempt residents from paying the ecotax when staying at local hotels, despite EU treaties requiring equality among citizens. Discussions are at an early stage, with a tax deduction proposal for residents on their income tax but not to be included in next year's budget. The measure might be implemented in the 2026 budget, aligning with President Marga Prohens' electoral commitment. Simultaneously, there's debate on increasing the ecotax to manage tourist overcrowding, particularly during high season, but no consensus has been reached within the Partido Popular (PP).

📜 Javier Hidalgo, former CEO of Globalia, is implicated in new emails from the Koldo case, which cast doubt on his denial of knowing Koldo García, leader of a corrupt network within the Ministry of Transport. The emails, including one dated July 2020 about a "Meeting in Ibiza," suggest a close relationship and potential collusion between the Ministry and Air Europa. Other emails from January 2020 show Hidalgo as a facilitator of business promotions, further indicating his acquaintance with García. A planned trip to Georgia, canceled due to the pandemic, also listed García, Ábalos, and Hidalgo as guests, pointing to deeper ties.