Civil Guard Awards 14 Decorations in Fuerteventura

Ceremony in Puerto del Rosario

This morning, on the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, the Civil Guard Company of Puerto del Rosario held a Mass at the Parish of Nuestra Señora del Rosario. The ceremony continued with institutional events in the Plaza de la Constitución, mirroring the main act, and included the presentation of nine thank‑you plaques to various institutions and agencies.

During the event, 14 decorations were awarded to civil guards assigned to the Puerto del Rosario Company:

• 7 Crosses of Merit of the Civil Guard (white distinction)
• 3 Crosses of Military Merit (white distinction)
• 3 Bronze Crosses of Constancy
• **1 Gold Cross of Constancy

All recipients are members of the Puerto del Rosario Company.

Ceremony in Lanzarote

On the neighboring island of Lanzarote, where the Costa Teguise Company is deployed, a religious Mass was celebrated at the Church of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes. This was followed by an institutional ceremony in Plaza El Varadero, Puerto del Carmen, Tías, during which eight decorations were bestowed upon Costa Teguise Civil Guard personnel:

• 2 Crosses of Military Merit (white distinction)
• 5 Crosses of Merit of the Civil Guard (white distinction)
• 1 Gold Cross of Constancy in Service

The speeches were delivered by the Mayor of Tías, the head of the Costa Teguise Company, and the island director of the Environmental Authority (AGE). The program concluded with a tribute to fallen comrades and the rendition of the Civil Guard anthem.

Comments from Colonel Javier Peña de Haro (Las Palmas)

“We have clarified 52 % of criminal offenses in just over a year, carried out more than 8,000 arrests and investigations, and dismantled several significant criminal groups,” said Colonel Javier Peña de Haro, commander of the Civil Guard in Las Palmas.

Speaking on the patron saint’s feast, the Virgin of the Pillar, Peña de Haro recalled his inauguration 19 months ago as head of the command, noting:

“I faced the challenge of leading such a complex task with optimism.”

He highlighted the intense work undertaken during his tenure, emphasizing the disruption of major criminal networks, including:

• Money‑laundering organizations such as the notorious HUTC clan, achieved through international cooperation.
• Human‑trafficking rings targeting victims from South America.
• Anti‑drug operations that seized over 2,000 kg of cocaine and captured one of Europe’s most wanted traffickers.

Peña de Haro also praised the swift resolution of the province’s most serious crimes, citing:

• Four homicides whose perpetrators are currently detained awaiting trial.
• Assistance provided to more than 1,100 victims of gender‑based violence.
• Security and coverage extended to nearly 20 million tourists and passengers.
• Over 31,000 support actions for institutions and agencies in areas such as the environment, animal protection, fire fighting, and fiscal safeguarding.

Finally, he announced the province’s integration into the national ON‑RED electronic complaints system, positioning the Civil Guard as a pioneer in citizen‑focused digital services.