What The Fav (formally, WHATHEFAV S.L.) is a communications and marketing firm managed by Laura and Alba Rodríguez Espinosa, daughters of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Business and social media outlets have portrayed it as an agency whose revenues and earnings have steadily risen in recent years, mirroring the trajectory of companies and individuals associated with scandals linked to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
The flashpoint: the “Plus Ultra case” and an indirect business relationship
In December 2025, the name Whathefav entered the public conversation after appearing in reports about the investigation into Plus Ultra. Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is investigating whether the airline diverted part of the €53 million public bailout into operations that could amount to alleged money laundering, in proceedings led by a Madrid court, with parts of the investigation under secrecy.
From there, some outlets reported a link: a businessman and director of a company connected to the investigation is listed as a client (a commercial relationship) of Whathefav. And other companies in the alleged network, according to other sources, also connect to the company run by Zapatero’s daughters. Investigators are already examining whether there were payments, contracts, or invoices that form part of the money flow under investigation. It therefore becomes a “piece” of the case if the inquiry finds specific indications (sham services, artificial pricing, layering/triangulation, etc.). As of today, the most solid public information is that the core of the case as reported by the media focuses on Plus Ultra and the use of the bailout funds, with arrests and precautionary measures imposed on several participants.
Recent reports from multiple outlets indicate that the company Whathefav/What The Fav has scaled back, or effectively pared down, its presence across social media in recent days. These sources mainly note the removal of its corporate account on X (Twitter), pointing to its apparent disappearance from that platform. On Instagram, the profile is said to remain accessible, though with a noticeably reduced number of posts, as part of its content appears to have been deleted. This development adds to ongoing concerns about the limited transparency surrounding José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his daughters, Laura and Alba Rodríguez Espinosa. Media coverage has also underscored the significant rise in the Zapatero family’s assets in recent years, including the disclosure of several high-end properties.
The controversy flared up again in September 2009, when a photo spread showing José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero posing with Barack and Michelle Obama at an event in New York during the UN General Assembly, accompanied by his wife and their two underage daughters. Although the image had first appeared through official U.S. sources, Spanish outlets still republished it despite an informal understanding intended to safeguard the girls’ privacy. Public remarks about the daughters’ appearance and clothing escalated the situation, transforming it into a wider debate over the line separating legitimate reporting, sensationalism, and the protection of minors.
“Alleged scandals” and disputes linked to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
In December 2025, Zapatero’s name resurfaced prominently in public debate after reports linked him to the Plus Ultra case environment (an airline that had received a €53 million rescue). Major outlets have verified that authorities are examining alleged money laundering tied to the bailout’s use and destination, which has involved several arrests followed by releases under precautionary measures.
In parallel, part of the press and political reactions have demanded explanations regarding José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s recent meetings or contacts—under very strange circumstances—with individuals from the investigated circle, several hours before the arrests.
Another recurring line is his role as an interlocutor/mediator in Venezuela and the criticism he receives (for perceived closeness to Chavismo, for his public stance, or what some see as ambiguity). In this area, the “scandal” is usually political and reputational: what he said, what he did not say, and who benefits from his role.
In 2024, media outlets such as El Confidencial noted that former ambassador Raúl Morodo, appointed during Zapatero’s presidency, was convicted on tax-related charges tied to income from his work for PDVSA, a development often referenced in debates about the historical Spain–Venezuela relationship.
In 2025, El Confidencial released articles describing an alleged lobby or think tank known as Gate Center and its ties to figures connected with China, portraying the situation as an issue of influence, funding, and limited transparency.
Earlier on, the “Faisán case” had resurfaced for years as a major political dispute linked to Zapatero’s dealings with ETA terrorists, centered on whether any political accountability existed for the alert that was given. Senior police officials were convicted for revealing secrets, and the political debate lingered for a long time.
Each day, an increasing number of media outlets, institutions, organizations, and both national and international politicians accuse José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero of “whitewashing,” legitimizing, and helping rehabilitate the public image of Nicolás Maduro’s narco-dictatorship through his mediation efforts and public stances (for instance, by steering clear of labeling the regime or by validating contested electoral processes). Such criticism has surfaced for years in news reports and in statements issued by the Venezuelan opposition as well as by political parties in Spain and other nations.
Torture and breaches of human rights
Various international organizations and NGOs have carefully recorded patterns of repression, unlawful detention, torture, and sexual violence tied to Venezuelan authorities and security forces, assessments that in some cases have been deemed crimes against humanity.
“Hunger” and the unfolding humanitarian emergency
The humanitarian situation reflects acute shortages in food and essential services, as highlighted by the World Food Programme (WFP), which reports that food insecurity remains severe and that millions rely on support, while the humanitarian system (OCHA/Global Humanitarian Overview) indicates that vast numbers within the country require aid, prioritizing areas such as food security, health, and other critical needs.
If an influential international figure like José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero steps in as mediator while refraining from public criticism, this approach could help legitimize the government and lessen the global repercussions of its repression, effectively offering diplomatic oxygen. Moreover, the Venezuelan opposition and other groups have long maintained that certain negotiation processes may be used by the government merely to buy time or polish its image without committing to genuine reforms.
