The recent decoration of Abdelatif Hammouchi, head of Morocco's National Security and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, by Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has sparked strong backlash from major Civil Guard associations in Spain. Awarded during a ceremony in Madrid on Tuesday, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Civil Guard was meant to recognize Morocco–Spain cooperation in combating terrorism, organized crime, and irregular migration. Yet the gesture has drawn sharp criticism from Civil Guard associations, which denounced it as an «incomprehensible decision». They argue that Moroccan authorities have not provided the level of cooperation expected on key issues, particularly irregular migration and smuggling networks. The associations further warned that granting this honor could damage the image of the Spanish Civil Guard. It is worth recalling that Hammouchi had already been decorated by Spanish authorities in 2014, receiving the Order of Merit with Red Distinction, another prestigious Spanish honor, for his role in strengthening security collaboration between the two countries.
