Politics · Spain · 6 hrs ago
Police message said Julián Puente would have limited duties in new post
Julián Puente was removed as police chief at Spain’s Senate on 12 June 2026.
A week later, he took up a post as a zonal coordinator.
In a WhatsApp group message dated 15 June, the official responsible for zonal coordinators said Puente would probably have little room to carry out his duties, adding that he had received instructions.
The message suggests Puente’s new role could be restricted, though it does not say who gave the instructions or what they involved.
Puente’s removal followed a decision by the national police directorate citing loss of confidence and concerns about his leadership.
Puente links his removal to an incident involving Sarah Santaolalla and reporter Vito Quiles outside the Senate; the PSOE had accused him of failing to protect Santaolalla.
The Interior Ministry declined to comment, and no further action is stated.
A Police coordinator told colleagues that Julián Puente would probably have little room to carry out his duties in a new post, citing instructions he had received.
The message was sent in an internal WhatsApp group on June 15, 2026, three days after Puente’s removal as head of the police unit at Spain’s Senate.
It said Puente would join as a zonal coordinator on June 22.
Police said his removal followed a loss of confidence and concerns about his exercise of command and leadership.
Puente has attributed his removal to an incident involving Sarah Santaolalla and reporter Vito Quiles outside the Senate.
- Who
- Julián Puente, the former head of the police unit at Spain’s Senate, and the coordinator who sent the message.
- What
- The coordinator said Puente would probably have limited scope for his work in a new post. The message said this was due to instructions received.
- When
- The message was sent on June 15, 2026. Puente’s removal took effect on June 12, and he was due to start the new post on June 22.
- Where
- The message was shared in an internal WhatsApp group for zonal coordinators. Puente’s former post was at the Spanish Senate.
- Why
- The coordinator said the limited scope was due to instructions received. The sources do not state who gave those instructions or why.
Police authorities
Julián Puente
Reason for removal
Police authorities
The police resolution cited a loss of confidence and the way Puente exercised command and leadership.
Julián Puente
Puente has attributed his removal to the consequences of an incident involving Sarah Santaolalla and Vito Quiles outside the Senate.
An incident involving Sarah Santaolalla and Vito Quiles took place outside the Senate.
Puente’s removal as head of the police unit at the Senate took effect.
A zonal coordinator sent a WhatsApp message saying Puente would probably have limited scope for his work in his new post.
Puente was due to join as a zonal coordinator.
- Former post
- Head of the Comisaría Especial del Senado
- Removal effective
- June 12, 2026
- WhatsApp message
- June 15, 2026
- New post start
- June 22, 2026
- Police director general
- Francisco Pardo
What people are saying
Possibly I will leave little room for his work, but I have to do it this way. Instructions received and previous experience on my part.
On the 22nd, Julián Leandro Puente joins as zonal coordinator, leaving his post as head of the Senate.