The former head of the UCO has been on Acciona's payroll for four years.

Acciona, a major company implicated in the scandal involving Santos Cerdán, José Luis Ábalos, and Koldo García, has employed Colonel Manuel Sánchez Corbí, the former head of the Central Operational Unit (UCO), to a highly responsible position for over four years. The veteran Civil Guard commander led the elite unit that currently has the PSOE on tenterhooks after dedicating over a quarter of a century to the fight against ETA. The current executive of the listed company chaired by José Manuel Entrecanales hung up his tricorn hat after more than 35 years to join the private sector following Pedro Sánchez's arrival in government and a resounding clash with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska that ended in court.

Sánchez Corbí joined Acciona in 2021 as director of international security. He continues to hold that position today, the company confirms. His job, he explains, is to oversee the security of all overseas projects for a company with a presence in more than 40 countries. "These are very specific tasks," they add. His position reports to Acciona's director of corporate security, Juan Miguel Martínez. Corbí is not a member of the company's senior management, while Martínez is.

After Acciona's involvement in the allegedly corrupt scheme involving the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party), the multinational announced an internal investigation to determine responsibility. The multinational allegedly paid Ábalos and Koldo García €620,000 in bribes "managed" by Cerdán. This Monday, the company went a step further and announced the dismissal of its construction director for Spain and Portugal, Justo Vicente Pelegrini, who was mentioned in the UCO report and also a member of senior management.

Sánchez Corbí holds a key position at Acciona. The security of overseas projects is the foundation of the company's business. In 2024, Acciona generated revenues of €19.19 billion, 12.7% more than the previous year. The international area supported the growth, with a turnover of €14.789 billion, 21.3% more than in 2023. In other words, three out of every four euros of Acciona's revenue comes from outside Spain. Corbí handles the most complex matters of Acciona's international security directly with group management, according to internal sources.

Corbí handles the most complex issues with the multinational's senior management.

Acciona hired Corbí in the midst of the pandemic after being ousted by Marlaska during the first term of the current Socialist government. He had been leading the UCO (Council of Workers' Compensation) for over five years, during which time the elite unit spearheaded corruption cases such as the EREs in Andalusia, Púnica, and Lezo, among others. In 2017, he appeared before the commission of inquiry opened in Congress on the alleged irregular financing of the PP (People's Party), where he stated that he had not received direct pressure from any political leader. After the 2018 vote of no confidence, he was assigned to the protection and security service (Seprose). The son and grandson of Civil Guards, the colonel sued for two years over the decision of the Interior Ministry leadership, but his demands were unsuccessful.

Before leading the UCO, Sánchez Corbí worked in the fight against terrorism for a quarter of a century. He was familiar with the Basque Country and Navarre. He speaks French, which helped him gain a thorough understanding of the so-called French sanctuary of ETA. He is considered an institution at the Intxaurrondo barracks.

It's quite common for large Spanish companies to incorporate former officers from the Civil Guard, the National Police, or the National Civil Guard (CNI) into their security teams. Telefónica, Santander, Repsol, and BBVA are just a few examples.