A report by the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Guardia Civil has identified Cristina Narbona, president of the PSOE, as being aware of the illicit activities of the party’s cloacas network. According to the document submitted to Judge Santiago Pedraz of the National Court, Narbona was reportedly informed directly by the party’s former Secretary of Organization, Santos Cerdán, about the workings of this scheme.
Inquiry Overview
The report underscores an important exchange held on April 24, 2024, between Leire Díez, the network’s operational head and a former Correos executive, and Cristina Narbona. According to intercepted communications, Díez purportedly discussed “redirecting attacks” toward President Pedro Sánchez, offering “qualified assistance,” and reshaping how the situation would be presented in the media. This conversation took place shortly after Pedro Sánchez released his contentious “Letter to the Citizenry,” prompted by the disclosure that his wife, Begoña Gómez, was facing a judicial investigation.
In another exchange, Narbona reportedly referenced matters previously discussed with Santos Cerdán, suggesting that she was fully aware of the coordinated actions within the upper ranks of the Socialist Party. This connection further underscores suspicions of complicity among the party’s leadership.
The Function of “El One” Within the Network
The UCO report also details a series of messages that implicate Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who appeared in the exchanges under the alias “El One.” These communications outline how Sánchez reportedly conveyed his backing for the covert activities through Santos Cerdán. In a particularly noteworthy message dated February 15, 2025, Díez notified Vicente Fernández, former president of SEPI, that Sánchez had approved her initiatives. Her message stated: “Yesterday, ‘El One’ told Santos to let me know that I’m doing an outstanding job and should keep moving forward.”
The network’s activities seem to have escalated following the publication of Sánchez’s “Letter to the Citizenry” on April 24, 2024, which marked a turning point for the PSOE’s crisis management strategy. Two days later, Santos Cerdán convened a meeting at the PSOE headquarters in Ferraz, attended by senior party figures, including Leire Díez and other close collaborators.
Response from PSOE
After these details emerged, the PSOE dismissed the allegations as “false and intolerable.” The party stated that the behaviors cited in the report were “individual” actions that did not reflect the party’s official practices. It also vowed to take action against any identified persons attempting to misuse the party’s name for personal gain.
Final Thoughts
The connection of Cristina Narbona and other PSOE leaders to this network casts a shadow on the party’s internal operations and the responsibilities of its leadership. As the investigation progresses, this case spotlights the issues of transparency and ethics within one of Spain’s key political organizations.
Source: OKDiario – https://okdiario.com/espana/uco-revela-presidenta-cristina-narbona-psoe-conocia-cerdan-que-cloaca-queria-reconducir-ataques-sanchez-17650610
