The Cabinet will approve on Tuesday the promotion of the current head of the Central Operations Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard to the rank of general, sources from the Armed Institute told the ABC. A decision that occurs in the midst of corruption cases that… … Investigates the loneliness surrounding the environment of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Yuste’s promotion to general had been an open secret for weeks since the UCO chief was among the best at his promotion. A change that seemed natural and will be reinforced in the coming weeks.
Promotions to the rank of General of the Civil Guard fall to the Minister of the Interior, with the approval of Margarita Robles, on the proposal of the General Directorate of the Corps.
The main candidate to lead the UCO now is Colonel María Dolores Jimeno Durán, who was also recently promoted. If the position is formalized, she will be the first woman to hold the position. Despite this, all candidates for the position of new President of the UCO are open and it will be Mercedes Gonzalez and Fernando Grande-Marlaska who will make the final decision.
Yuste Arenillas assumed command in June 2023, following the vacancy left by the previous official, Alfonso Alberto López Malo, who was promoted to brigadier general and then became director of the Judicial Police Headquarters. Yuste’s appointment was signed by Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlasca and published in the Official Gazette of the Civil Guard, based on the proposal of the Director General of the Armed Institute, Leonardo Marcos.
Yuste Arenillas’ career is extensive and recognized within the Civil Guard. Prior to commanding the UCO, he was assigned to the General Staff and was Chief of the Operational Support Group (GAO), a key unit for complex operations. In addition, he has extensive experience in the Information Headquarters and has performed relevant tasks in force management and planning, which has earned him a prominent position among his colleagues.