Julio Martínez, a businessman from Alicante, was hired by the Hispano-Venezuelan airline Plus Ultra in 2020 as a "fixer" due to his access to the Venezuelan government. This role involved facilitating connections that would later play a pivotal part in securing a controversial financial rescue from the Spanish government, amounting to 53 million euros, for the struggling airline. As the airline expanded its routes to cities like Caracas, Lima, Bogotá, and Cartagena, Martínez's influence and connections became increasingly scrutinized.

In the aftermath of the financial rescue, which raised eyebrows and sparked public outcry, an investigation was initiated in Madrid to probe the legitimacy of the rescue and Martínez's involvement. However, this investigation faced legal hurdles, leading to its eventual shelving due to procedural defects, leaving critical questions about corruption and government oversight unaddressed. Despite the complications of the case, it highlights the often murky intersections of business and politics, especially in the context of foreign relations with Venezuela.

As of December 11, 2025, Martínez was arrested along with several Plus Ultra executives in connection with ongoing inquiries into alleged mismanagement and corruption within the airline. This arrest signifies a deepening of the investigation into Plus Ultra and raises concerns about the accountability of businesses that operate under questionable circumstances, particularly when they depend on government bailouts. The ramifications of this case may ripple across the aviation industry in Spain and beyond, especially regarding regulatory standards and corporate governance.