Plus Ultra, an airline rescued with Spanish public money, currently serves the Cuban regime.
78% confidence
Foreign AffairsSpain
Omissions
The characterization 'serves the Cuban regime' is a political interpretation, not a purely factual claim. The underlying facts — the €53 million public bailout and commercial ties to Cuba — are confirmed, but the degree to which the airline actively 'serves' the regime is a matter of interpretation and political framing.
The MEP's party group (ECR) has a known anti-communist narrative bias regarding Cuba and Venezuela, which may influence the framing of the business relationship as 'service' to the regime.
Plus Ultra is not unique among Spanish airlines in receiving COVID-19 bailout funds: Air Europa received €475 million from the same FASEE/SEPI fund, and other Spanish airlines also received public support.
Several of the sources confirming the Cuba connection (El Confidencial, Diario de Cuba) are outlets with an editorial stance critical of the Cuban regime, which may affect their characterization of Plus Ultra's role.
Sources
SecondaryEl PaísPlus Ultra received a public rescue of €53 million approved by the Spanish Council of Ministers on 9 March 2021 through the FASEE fund managed by SEPI, alongside other airlines such as Air Europa (€475 million).
SecondaryRTVEPlus Ultra was one of four Spanish airlines rescued by the Spanish government during the pandemic. The largest rescue was Air Europa with €475 million. In March 2021, the government of Pedro Sánchez approved a €53 million rescue for Plus Ultra.
SecondaryEl ConfidencialThe injection of €53 million of Spanish public funds into Plus Ultra has given oxygen to the Castrist regime, which has turned the airline into a key operational partner, providing aircraft and crews to Cubana de Aviación and maintaining essential air connections to the island.
SecondaryDiario de CubaPlus Ultra has operated flights between Havana and Barcelona under Cubana de Aviación's code since 2017, and recently took over routes between Cuba and Buenos Aires. The article frames Plus Ultra as having gone from a rescued airline to a support pillar for the Cuban regime.
SecondaryEl País (English edition)Spain's anti-corruption prosecutors are investigating whether Plus Ultra diverted €53 million in bailout money to launder funds from Venezuela, involving operations in France, Switzerland, and Spain.
SecondaryEurActivA Madrid court is investigating a suspected corruption scheme linked to the controversial €53 million bailout of Plus Ultra, approved by high-level Spanish government officials. The bailout was granted in March 2021 through the SEPI fund during the COVID-19 pandemic.