On March 24, 2025, María Dolores de Cospedal, the former Defense Minister and secretary general of the Popular Party (PP), firmly declared before the Congress of Deputies that she had never promoted any operation known as 'Operación Cataluña', labeling the alleged political police operation a "fiction". This statement came amidst ongoing investigations into supposed maneuvers by the PP to discredit Catalan independence leaders during the tenure of former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
During her testimony, Cospedal vehemently denied the validity of audios published this same day by Rac 1, wherein she is purportedly heard discussing sensitive matters regarding Catalan politicians with former police commissioner José Manuel Villarejo. "I have not promoted any 'Operación Cataluña'. It is a fiction," she insisted, dismissing claims of a political police force as a mere creation of speculation.
Cospedal acknowledged her meetings with Villarejo, stating, "I met with him six, eight, or nine times"—a fact confirmed by previous testimonies. However, she maintained that any discussions were related to ongoing judicial matters and not to any form of espionage or political manipulation. "In those meetings, we discussed public matters, nothing that wasn’t already published," she stated, emphasizing that Villarejo provided no insights that weren't already available in the media.
In response to allegations regarding audio recordings that suggest she requested payments to informants for information related to leadership figures within Catalonia, Cospedal remained undeterred. "I don’t know who has safeguarded those conversations; therefore, I do not have to give them credibility," she remarked. This aligns with her overall stance that portrays the sequence of events as fabricated rather than factual, leading to notable tension in the committee proceedings.
Political representatives from various parties, including Ione Belarra from Podemos and representatives from ERC and Junts, voiced dress concerns about the implications of Cospedal’s statements, suggesting her long-standing relationship with Villarejo signified deeper complicity in the alleged 'Operación Cataluña'. Belarra argued, "You have a long history of meetings with a corrupt commissioner, you protected your interests, and these recordings show conspiracy against your rivals." To which Cospedal retorted, "If you are trying to accuse me of a crime, go to the courts because there I will answer. I do not recognize any legitimacy in this commission."
Debate during the proceedings intensified as excerpts from the leaked audios hinted at possible financial arrangements and covert operations that Cospedal allegedly initiated during her time in office. The former minister didn't shy away from specifics, stating aloud during the hearing, "The only operation I know is the attempted coup", a veiled reference to the Catalan independence movement.
One of the more pointed exchanges involved references to the so-called 'Papeles de Bárcenas', which Cospedal called "false". She reiterated, "How can I report on something that doesn't exist?" signaling further dissatisfaction with allegations that her actions somehow conspired against political rivals. "This supposed conversation does not have to be taken as credible because I never ordered anything of the kind that was called Operation Cataluña, which is a fiction that never existed," she proclaimed.
Cospedal's testimony comes at a critical time as the Congress commission is set to evaluate the actions of various political figures concerning their associations with Villarejo and potential misuse of their offices. She reiterated, “I did not authorize any illegal schemes nor created any political police,” emphasizing her lack of involvement in characterizing these activities as corrupt or conspiratorial.
The session concluded with calls from parties such as ERC, Junts, and Bildu to refer the statements made by Cospedal to the Prosecutor's Office for further action. Junqueras expressed his frustration over alleged government maneuvers, stating, "Today we have new evidence that indicates abuse of power against democratic rights."
As the investigation unfolds, Cospedal’s insistence on the existence of her innocence fuels further scrutiny, marking a significant chapter in the ongoing saga of political accountability in Spain. The implications for the PP and its legacy concerning the handling of Catalonia’s independence issues remain tightly interwoven with Cospedal’s statements, raising pivotal questions about the intersection of political power, ethics, and the rule of law.
