A Spaniard at the head of Eucap Niger (maj)
(BRUSSELS2, exclusive) The political and security committee (COPS) must confirm on Tuesday (17 July) the appointment of a colonel from the Guardia Civil as head of EUCAP Sahel Niger. According to our information, it would be Francisco (Paco) Espinosa Navas.
Born in Guillena (Seville), son of a police officer, himself, Francisco Espinosa was until now the head of the Guardia Civil in Las Palmas (Canary Islands) and had 1900 officers under his command in a delicate region because it is very touristy but also in comes up against certain traffics, immigration, not far from the African coast. He adores - Spanish colleagues told us - football (he is a fan of the Seville team), cinema (the unforgettable I Girasoli (Les Tournesols ) with Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni) and classical music (Chopin and Mozart).
Francisco Espinosa Navas began his career in 1978 as a platoon and law enforcement commander in Logroño (1978 - 1980), then as head of a provincial traffic unit in Seville (1980-1985). He then moved to the General Staff of the Servicio Marítimo Guardia Civil of Andalusia as head of the regional intelligence unit (1987-1990) then as a staff officer in the intelligence and investigation department of the regional district of Andalusia (1992-1993) and in the general in charge of support where he deals more particularly with the payroll of the personnel. He then worked at the headquarters of the Seville region in Andalusia, responsible in particular for strategic planning and head of the press and communication service (1995-2000). Then moved to the Canary Islands as head of command of the Guardia Civil in Algeciras (2000-2004) and finally in Las Palmas.
The Colonel has completed several missions abroad. Twice (early 1994 and early 1995) in Clafat (Romania) and Mohacs (Hungary), it was used in the embargo operation against Serbia on the Danube led by the WEU. He was also seconded to SFOR for four months as head of the Guardia Civil unit (April to October 1997). He was also attached to the Guardia Civil in Paris at the Spanish Embassy (2004-2008). During this period, he was notably an auditor at the IHEDN (2007-2008).
(Update: July 17) The appointment has been endorsed by the COPS - biography completed.