Antonio Balas Dávila has become one of the prominent names in Spanish judicial news. Although he had barely come to public attention until a few months ago, the lieutenant colonel of the Guardia Civil has been heading the Department of Economic Crime of the Central Operational Unit (UCO) since 2020, the unit specialized in investigating the country's main cases of political and economic corruption.
His name is once again in the headlines because the judge of the National Court, Ismael Moreno, and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have requested that he remain in charge of the Koldo case, despite the fact that his imminent promotion to colonel would normally imply leaving his current post. Both consider that the continuity of command is key to ensuring the development of an especially complex investigation with multiple ramifications.
More than two decades investigating corruption
Balas began his career in the Intelligence Service of the Guardia Civil in the Basque Country, where he participated in investigations against the terrorist organization ETA. He was later assigned to Salamanca, heading the Organic Unit of Judicial Police, specializing in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.
His experience later led him to the UCO, where he has participated in some of the most important investigations in Spain's recent history. These include Operations Púnica and Lezo, the Erial case, the ERE case of Andalusia, and various investigations into tax fraud and economic crime, especially in the hydrocarbon sector. One of the greatest successes attributed to his team was Operation Drake, considered one of the largest investigations into VAT fraud in the fuel market.
The person in charge of the Koldo case
Since the outbreak of the Koldo case, Antonio Balas has been leading the UCO team responsible for preparing the reports that support a large part of the judicial investigation. The inquiries led by the unit under his command have been expanding the scope of the case, incorporating new lines of investigation related to public contracts, alleged irregular awards, and various political officials. In addition to the Koldo case, Balas has also been in charge of other investigations with enormous political repercussions, such as those affecting Begoña Gómez and David Sánchez, wife and brother of the President of the Government.
At the center of the Leire Díez case
His prominence increased even more after the audios that originated the so-called Leire Díez case became known. According to the investigation, several people tried to obtain compromising information about the UCO commander with the aim of discrediting him and calling into question the investigations he was leading. The Civil Guard considers Balas to be one of the main targets of this alleged operation, precisely because of his weight within the investigations into political corruption.
A promotion that could alter the investigation
Balas' promotion to colonel now opens a new scenario. The usual course of action would be for him to leave the UCO to take up another post, but both the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the judge believe that a change at this time could affect the continuity of one of the most sensitive investigations in recent years.
Therefore, they have requested that he temporarily remain in charge of the case through a commission of services, an administrative formula that would allow him to continue leading the investigation despite his promotion. The final decision will rest with the Directorate General of the Civil Guard and the Ministry of the Interior.