فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Madrid – November 11, 2025 (MAP) – In a move reflecting the depth of the security partnership between Morocco and Spain, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska presided today, Tuesday, over an official ceremony in the capital Madrid to decorate the Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Mr. Abdellatif Hammouchi, with the Grand Cross of Merit of the Spanish Civil Guard, the highest honor granted by this security institution to foreign personalities.
The decoration ceremony was attended by the Director General of the Spanish Civil Guard, Mrs. Mercedes González Fernández, and General Luis Villéz Pinero, head of the Intelligence Commissariat, alongside several senior security officials from both countries.
Official Spanish Recognition of Hammouchi’s Efforts in Strengthening Security Cooperation
The Spanish Interior Minister emphasized in his speech that granting this high honor represents “explicit recognition” of the pivotal role played by Mr. Hammouchi in developing the Moroccan-Spanish security partnership, especially in the field of combating terrorism and transnational organized crime. He praised the “exceptional efforts” made by the Director General to modernize Moroccan National Security services, making them “an international model to be emulated.”
The Minister also renewed Spain’s commitment to cooperation based on mutual trust with Morocco, particularly in securing the hosting of the 2030 World Cup, considering the event a reflection of strengthening fraternal bonds between the two countries.
Civil Guard Officials: Honor Reflects “Distinguished and Unique” Cooperation
For their part, Civil Guard officials confirmed that the medal is “honest testimony” to the deep appreciation for the exceptional cooperation between the Civil Guard and the Directorate General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, in confronting shared threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal immigration, and cybercrime.
Bilateral Talks to Strengthen Joint Operations
The ceremony provided an opportunity for discussions between Mr. Hammouchi and senior Spanish officials, focusing on new mechanisms to enhance joint operations against violent extremism and cross-border crime.
Historic Precedent in Hammouchi’s Record of International Honors
It should be noted that the Spanish government previously approved granting the medal based on the Interior Minister’s proposal. Spain had previously honored Mr. Hammouchi in 2014 with the Honorary Cross of Security Merit with Red Distinction.
He has also received high honors from France (three medals, including the Legion of Honor at the rank of Officer in June 2025), and from the Arab Interior Ministers Council with the Prince Naif Award for Arab Security First Class in 2025, in addition to the Order of the Throne at the rank of Officer granted to him by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in 2011, the first royal honor of this kind for a Moroccan security official.
This new decoration reinforces Abdellatif Hammouchi’s position as one of the most prominent security figures on the international scene and confirms Morocco’s role as a trusted strategic partner in combating global threats.
