Morocco and spain strengthen security ties with high-level honors

Rabat honors Moroccan security leaders for anti-terrorism collaboration

In Rabat on Thursday, Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, hosted a high-level delegation from Spain’s Civil Guard. The visiting team, led by Division General Luis Peláez Piñeiro, Director of Intelligence, was in Morocco for an official mission.

The event highlighted the deepening security cooperation between Morocco and Spain, particularly in counterterrorism and cross-border crime prevention. A key moment was the presentation of prestigious Spanish honors to senior officials from Morocco’s Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) and Directorate General for Territorial Surveillance (DGST). These decorations, granted by Spain’s Interior Minister, recognize their contributions to strengthening operational cooperation and technical assistance between the two nations.

The official statement emphasized that these distinctions underscore the strategic partnership between Morocco and Spain. It also reflects Madrid’s acknowledgment of the Moroccan security leadership’s expertise in addressing shared threats.

During the ceremony, General Peláez Piñeiro referred to Morocco as an “essential strategic partner” in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. He praised the advanced bilateral security cooperation, calling it a vital response to growing regional and global challenges.

These honors follow previous recognitions, including the Grand Cross of the Civil Guard Merit awarded to Abdellatif Hammouchi in November 2025. Earlier, in 2014, he received the Cross of Police Merit with Red Distinction for his role in fostering exemplary security collaboration between the two countries.