Former deputy of the PSOE for the state of Las Palmas, Juan Bernardo Fuentes Curbelo, was arrested at his home in Fuerteventura as part of the ongoing Mediator case investigation. The incident marks a dramatic development in a scandal that centers on fraudulent schemes and improper influence affecting various businesspeople and agricultural workers across the Canary Islands.
The Majorero socialist politician temporarily stepped down from his seat in the House of Representatives after information about his alleged involvement in collecting illegal commissions emerged. He had been serving in a role that connected regional interests with national decision-making, a position that placed him at the heart of a wider inquiry into possible abuse of power and corruption within political and economic circles in the archipelago.
Juan Bernardo Fuentes Curbelo, born in Puerto del Rosario in 1962, filled the parliamentary vacancy left by Elena Máñez in 2020. His career previously included work as the General Manager of Livestock, a role that connected him to the agricultural sector within the region. Allegations suggest he used various channels, including local associations and football clubs, to facilitate dealings with influential businessmen and to mask activities tied to financial gain. He also served as-president of a football club in Tetir, which adds another layer to the alleged operations described in the case.
According to the claims, a proposed transfer of 5,000 euros was presented as a contribution to a local football school program, ostensibly to support young athletes as they pursue their sporting interests. This planned contribution, if real, would have been used to curry favor with local stakeholders while potentially masking other financial arrangements tied to the alleged scheme.
modus operandi
Investigators describe a pattern in which business representatives visiting the House of Deputies were greeted by Fuentes in his deputy offices. They were guided through the building before sharing meals in Madrid. These dinners, lasting several hours, were reportedly funded by dairy producers and farmers who later paid substantial sums, sometimes up to 3,500 euros per gathering. It was during these meetings that attendees were exposed to social environments featuring alcohol and other amenities that served to deepen ties and silence potential concerns about the transactions involved.
The aim, as outlined by investigators, involved two parallel tracks. On one side, Canary Island farmers and cheesemakers faced pressure or sanctions if they did not engage in the alleged scheme or did not align with the requested subsidies. On the other side, mainland businessmen sought access to the Canary Islands Special Economic Zone, which could involve bribes related to establishment costs, subsidies, and travel expenses. In this context, Fuentes Curbelo and associates allegedly coordinated efforts to connect regional interests with central authorities, leveraging positions of influence to steer outcomes in their favor. Fuentes is described as the central figure in these activities, with his nephew Taishet identified as a key participant, while the involvement of other figures, including a former livestock director and a high-ranking police official, is noted as part of a broader network.
People connected to the case are said to have faced threats of subsidy withdrawal or other punitive measures should they refuse to participate or fail to meet the demands of the conspiracy. Investigators describe a hierarchical structure with Fuentes at the apex and his relatives operating under him, supported by a cadre of intermediaries and collaborators. The case also highlights the involvement of a Civil Guard general and other officials, pointing to a wide-ranging conspiracy that extended beyond a single sector.
In total, the investigation has identified twelve individuals linked to the leadership and coordination of the scheme, including mediators, government officials, farmers, and businesspeople from both the Canary Islands and the peninsula. The network allegedly encompassed a range of roles, from primary decision-makers to auxiliary participants who facilitated payments and cover stories. The scope and interconnections suggest a complex operation built on favors, official influence, and payoffs designed to secure financial advantages for a group of actors at multiple levels of governance and commerce. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover the full extent of the activities, the precise flow of illicit funds, and the mechanisms used to maintain secrecy over time.
The case remains under close scrutiny by national police and judicial authorities, and further updates are anticipated as the investigation progresses. The evolving narrative indicates that there may be additional disclosures about the roles played by various participants and the ways incentives and penalties were employed to drive compliance with the scheme. The investigation team continues to assemble evidence, interview witnesses, and review financial records to establish a complete picture of the alleged wrongdoing and its impact on Canary Islands stakeholders and the broader political landscape.