High-level Spanish Civil Guard delegation visits Morocco, honors security officials

Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance Abdellatif Hammouchi received a high-level delegation from Spain's Civil Guard on Thursday in Rabat, led by Major General Luis Peláez Piñeiro, head of the Civil Guard's Intelligence Directorate, during an official working visit to Morocco.

According to a statement from Morocco's General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), the visit reflects the advanced level of security cooperation between Moroccan and Spanish law enforcement and intelligence services, which has become a model in the fight against terrorism and cross-border crime.

During the meeting, several officials from the DGSN and the Directorate General for Territorial Surveillance (DGST) were awarded prestigious Spanish decorations by decree of Spain's Interior Minister, in recognition of their role in strengthening operational cooperation and technical assistance between the two countries' security services.

The statement said the honors underscore the depth of the strategic partnership between Morocco and Spain and reflect Spain's recognition of the professionalism of Moroccan security officials in addressing shared cross-border security threats.

Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Peláez Piñeiro described Morocco as an «indispensable strategic partner» in combating terrorism and organized crime, praising the advanced level of bilateral security cooperation amid increasingly complex regional and international security challenges.

The decorations follow the awarding of the Grand Cross of Merit of the Spanish Civil Guard—its highest distinction—to Abdellatif Hammouchi in November 2025. He had previously received the Cross of Police Merit with Red Distinction in 2014 in recognition of his contribution to building a model security partnership between Morocco and Spain.