Spanish-Moroccan cooperation on security: an international model of success
For several years, Morocco and Spain have built an exemplary security partnership based on trust, information sharing, operational coordination, and joint training. Driven by Mr. Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of the DGSN and DGST, this cooperation has allowed for the dismantling of numerous terrorist networks, strengthening of border surveillance, and consolidation of regional stability.
On November 11, 2025, Mr. Hammouchi was decorated in Madrid with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Spanish Civil Guard, during a ceremony presided over by the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska. This high distinction recognizes the “outstanding role” of the Moroccan official in strengthening security cooperation between the two countries. Beyond a personal tribute, this recognition symbolizes the solidity of the strategic bond linking Rabat and Madrid in the fight against transnational threats.
This is not the first time the excellence of this cooperation has been honored. In 2014, Mr. Hammouchi had already received the Police Merit Cross of Honor with Red Distinction, before being decorated in 2019 with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Civil Guard — the highest distinction of this institution. These marks of recognition reflect Madrid’s official acknowledgment of the effectiveness and reliability of the partnership led by Morocco.
The strength of this collaboration is also reflected in regular bilateral exchanges. In April 2025, Mr. Hammouchi received in Rabat Brigadier General Luis Peláez Piñeiro, head of intelligence of the Spanish Civil Guard, on his first official foreign visit, confirming the strategic priority given to Morocco. A few months earlier, in January, Spanish General Commissioner for Intelligence Javier Antonio Suín Bercero was also received in Rabat for in-depth discussions on counterterrorism and violent extremism.
These ongoing consultations translate into large-scale joint operations targeting terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and illegal immigration. Both countries share the conviction that these threats require permanent coordination, based on the synergy of intelligence services and the use of advanced technologies.
According to international experts, this Moroccan-Spanish cooperation is today a model of integrated and effective partnership, capable of inspiring other countries facing similar challenges. The alliance of operational capabilities, common strategy, and mutual respect demonstrates that regional security is above all based on trust and solidarity.
In sum, this bilateral dynamic aligns with a regional vision promoted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, positioning cooperation as a pillar of Mediterranean stability. In a world marked by evolving threats, the Rabat-Madrid tandem sends a clear message: in the face of terrorism and transnational crime, coordination and shared vigilance overcome divisions.