Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska faced intense scrutiny in the Senate over alleged connections to a corruption scandal involving former minister José Luis Ábalos.

During a tense session, Grande-Marlaska denied any meetings with key figures Koldo García and Víctor de Aldama, who are central to the investigation.

He emphasized that all actions related to a €3.5 million mask procurement during the pandemic were legal.

The session also focused on the controversial visit of Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to Madrid in 2020, which Grande-Marlaska claimed he was only informed about shortly before her arrival.

The minister distanced himself from Ábalos, asserting no knowledge of any irregularities and defending the integrity of his department.

Despite accusations from opposition senators, Grande-Marlaska maintained that no wrongdoing occurred within the Interior Ministry.