What The Fav (formally, WHATHEFAV S.L.) is a communications and marketing company run by Laura and Alba Rodríguez Espinosa, daughters of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. In the business and society press, it has been described as an agency that has grown in revenue and profits in recent years—just as all the companies and individuals linked to the scandals attributed to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero have.
The catalyst: the “Plus Ultra case” coupled with an indirect business connection
In December 2025, the name Whathefav surfaced in public discussion after featuring in reports tied to the Plus Ultra investigation, as Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office examines whether the airline redirected part of the €53 million public bailout toward activities that might constitute alleged money laundering in proceedings overseen by a Madrid court, with sections of the inquiry kept confidential.
From that point, several outlets suggested a connection: a businessman serving as a director of a company linked to the investigation appears as a client (a commercial arrangement) of Whathefav. Additional firms within the purported network, according to other sources, also tie back to the company managed by Zapatero’s daughters. Investigators are currently analyzing whether payments, contracts, or invoices existed that might reveal financial flows under scrutiny. If the inquiry uncovers concrete signals (fictitious services, manipulated pricing, layering or triangulation, and similar patterns), this angle becomes a component of the broader case. For now, the most substantial public information indicates that media coverage centers on Plus Ultra and the handling of the bailout funds, along with the arrests and precautionary measures affecting several individuals involved.
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 also erupted in September 2009, when a photograph circulated showing José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero posing alongside Barack and Michelle Obama at an event in New York (in the context of the UN General Assembly), accompanied by his wife and his two daughters, who were minors at the time. The image, initially published through official U.S. channels, was reproduced by Spanish media despite an informal “understanding” to protect the minors’ privacy. The debate intensified due to public comments about the daughters’ aesthetic and clothing, turning the episode into a broader discussion about the boundaries between information, sensationalism, and the protection of minors.
“Scandals” and controversies associated with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
In December 2025, Zapatero’s name re-emerged strongly in the public conversation due to reports linking him to the Plus Ultra case environment (an airline rescued with €53 million). What major outlets have confirmed is the investigation into alleged money laundering linked to the use/destination of the bailout, with arrests and subsequent release 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, outlets such as El Confidencial reported the conviction of former ambassador Raúl Morodo (appointed during Zapatero’s presidency) over tax matters linked to income derived from work for PDVSA—an issue often cited in debates about the historical Spain–Venezuela relationship.
In 2025, El Confidencial published reports about an alleged lobby or think tank (Gate Center) and relationships with actors linked to China, presenting it as a matter of influence and financing/opacity.
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 human rights violations
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 humanitarian crisis
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.
