These are the former senior officials of the Canary Government who distance themselves from the 'Koldo case'

The scandal over mask contracts implicates former members of the Canary Islands Government, who have come out to defend their actions. Antonio Olivera, chief of staff for Minister Ángel Víctor Torres, justified the decisions made in purchasing healthcare supplies during the pandemic.

Olivera, who was the director of the Canary Islands Health Service, explained that the supply market was overwhelmed and it was difficult to find suppliers. According to Olivera, multiple contacts were used to expedite the purchase of masks and ensure supply in the Canary Islands.

He stated that "there was no favoritism" in the contracts with Soluciones de Gestión, the company linked to the Koldo case scheme. The intermediary Víctor de Aldama allegedly played a key role in these contracts, but Olivera insists that everything was done transparently.

The former director of the Canary Islands Health Service explained that the company contacted them directly to offer healthcare supplies during the pandemic. He noted that the company's head, Íñigo Rotaeche, informed them that he was delivering supplies to State Ports in the Canary Islands.

Given the urgency, the Canary Islands Government approved the purchase of 2,750,000 masks without making an advance payment, according to Olivera. He assures that "all checks were made" before signing the contracts and that they acted within the current legal framework.

Another person involved in the case is Ricardo Pérez, former Deputy Minister of Communication of the Canary Islands Government, whose role is also under scrutiny. The controversy erupted after it was revealed that Soluciones de Gestión received millions in contracts from various administrations without prior experience.

The Koldo case investigates an alleged corruption network in the purchase of masks, with inflated payments and alleged diversion of public funds. The scheme affects various administrations and has led to the arrest of former advisors from the Ministry of Transport and businesspeople.

Ángel Víctor Torres, former president of the Canary Islands and current minister, has defended his team's management during the health crisis. The Canary Islands Government assures that it will cooperate with the Justice to clarify any irregularities detected in these contracts.

The investigation remains open and could lead to new charges as the National Court's inquiries progress.

Víctor de Aldama has chosen silence

The businessman appeared before the investigation committee on the purchase of masks but refused to answer the deputies' questions.

"I will exercise my right not to testify," were the only words he uttered before the political representatives. De Aldama had already been summoned a month ago. But the notification was not effective because he was in provisional detention for another corruption case.

His involvement in the alleged illegal commission scheme has made him a key figure in the ongoing judicial investigations. As an intermediary for Soluciones de Gestión, a company that benefited from million-dollar mask contracts, his testimony is considered crucial.

The investigation committee in the Canary Islands Parliament seeks to clarify the role of this company in the awarding of contracts during the pandemic. De Aldama's silence reinforces suspicions about the opacity in the management of these contracts and the possible diversion of public funds.