Introduction
December 14 this year will mark the 70th anniversary of Spain’s accession to the United Nations. Since joining in 1955, Spain’s role within the UN has gained more and more importance, particularly after its transition to democracy in the late 1970s. Spain has gradually established itself as a global leader in the fight against international terrorism, the protection of human rights, the promotion of sustainable development, and the defense of democracy. It has also become one of the UN’s main financial contributors, as well as one of the countries most involved in peacekeeping missions.
Although Spain joined the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34) in 1965, it was not until 1989 that it began to participate actively, in response to the new dynamics following the Cold War. Since then, more than 137,000 members of the Armed Forces and State Security Forces and Corps have been deployed abroad in more than 50 operations, ranging from peacekeeping and peacebuilding to humanitarian aid, observation, and verification missions. Spain’s contribution is distinguished by the professionalism, efficiency, and integrity of its forces, which enjoy great prestige as actors in international peace and security.
A country’s global perception is essential to its reputation and credibility in international relations, playing a key role in strategies to build its national image. In this regard, Spain’s actions, based on values such as multilateral engagement, global solidarity, and respect for international law, are fundamental to its strategic image within the international community.
This article aims to provide a detailed overview of Spain’s contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations (PKOs) in order to better understand its role on the world stage.
History and development
Spain’s involvement in United Nations peace operations has evolved over the decades. Initially modest during the expansion phase of peace missions, it has gradually expanded to become one of the 153 signatory countries of the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative, launched by António Guterres in 2018. Spain was also one of the first countries to support the Statement of Shared Commitments, which constitutes a renewal of the political commitment of Member States and a common roadmap for new peacekeeping operation mandates.
A look back at Spain’s early contributions helps to understand how the country has established itself as a reliable player in peacekeeping.
Spain took part for the first time in the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM) from January 1989 to July 1991. A contingent of seven Spanish military observers was sent to supervise the redeployment and withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola.
This first positive experience paved the way for Spain’s involvement in peacekeeping in Namibia. From April 1989 to March 1990, the United Nations Transition Assistance Group benefited from the participation of a Spanish contingent consisting of eight T-12 Aviocar aircraft, one T-10 Hercules aircraft, and 85 personnel.
At almost the same time, Spain became involved in the United Nations Central American Observer Group (UNOCA), with the dual mission of verifying regional security agreements and supervising the demobilization process in Nicaragua until December 1991. The Spanish contingent, which was the largest to date (58 members), was led by a Spanish general—a first.
In 1990, Spain also participated in the United Nations Yemen Observation Mission (UNYOM) to verify the separation of powers. At the end of the same year, it took part in the United Nations Election Verification Mission in Haiti (ONUVEH), charged with ensuring the country’s first democratic and peaceful elections.
A Spanish general was also appointed to head the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL), composed of 138 observers from the army, the national police, and the civil guard, from 1991 to 1995 to support the peace consolidation process.
Perhaps the most emblematic mission was Spain’s contribution to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the former Yugoslavia, during which 15 Spanish lost their lives. More than 43,000 Spanish have worked in peacekeeping, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This commitment was rewarded in 1993 with the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.
In 1994, Spanish forces took on one of the greatest challenges in their history by participating in the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), after having been involved in Operation ONUMOZ in Mozambique between 1993 and 1994. Spain also played an active role in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), whose mandate ended in 2017.
It should also be noted that Spain has been a pioneer in integrating a gender perspective into peacekeeping missions. In 2007, it was one of the first ten countries to adopt a National Plan for the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, with a second National Plan approved in 2017.
In order to monitor progress on this agenda, in 2019 the Spanish and Finnish governments launched the Commitment 2025 (C-25) initiative, with thirteen signatory countries and nine specific commitments around conflict prevention, resolution, negotiation, and mediation.
All these missions and initiatives laid the foundations for Spain’s current commitment to international peace and security. Today, Spain continues to play an important role in several UN peacekeeping operations around the world, from the Middle East to Africa and Latin America.
Current operations
Spain is currently engaged in three main missions: the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNUVM).
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was initially established by the UN Security Council in March 1978 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and support the Lebanese government in reestablishing its authority in the region. Over time, UNIFIL’s mandate has been adjusted in response to developments in 1982, 2000, and especially after the 2006 Lebanon War. The mandate was then significantly expanded to include monitoring the cessation of hostilities and facilitating humanitarian access to the civilian population.
In September 2006, Spain began participating in UNIFIL, marking the start of “Operation Libre Hidalgo.” Since then, it has deployed more than 10,000 military personnel as part of this mission, 16 of whom have lost their lives. To date, Spain is the fifth largest contributor of troops to UNIFIL, with 686 peacekeepers deployed and 19 staff officers present at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura. Spain commands the Multinational Brigade East, headquartered at the Miguel de Cervantes base and led by a Spanish general, confirming its key role in maintaining stability in the region.
Spanish troops conduct patrols on foot and in vehicles, often near the Blue Line, which marks the provisional border of the Israeli withdrawal. They carry out up to 300 patrols per week and participate in monitoring civilian activity to prevent tensions. In addition, they establish observation posts, cooperate closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), support the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, and ensure rapid reporting of incidents to prevent escalation.
United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)
Since 2014, MINUSCA, which has been charged with protecting civilians and supporting the transition process in the Central African Republic, has benefited from the participation of more than ten members of the Spanish National Police Force. Since December 2016, a team of four Spanish forensic specialists has been integrated into MINUSCA’s Technical and Scientific Police (PTS).
The main responsibilities of Spanish personnel include supporting the Special Criminal Court, training local and UN security forces, and conducting forensic investigations in the field related to serious criminal incidents, both in the capital and throughout the rest of the country.
United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC)
Under the direction of the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA), this political mission aims to supervise the ceasefire and verify disarmament within the framework of the tripartite mechanism (with the government and FARC) following the peace agreement signed in 2016.
Spain has had seven observers deployed in Colombia since November 2016: five Armed Forces officers and two Civil Guard officers. In this case, the international observers carry out their mission unarmed.
Current role and impact
Spain currently ranks 25th globally and 2nd in Europe (behind Italy and ahead of France) in terms of the number of personnel deployed, with a total of 720. It is also the 11th largest financial contributor to peacekeeping operations, providing 2.13% of the total budget for 2024–2025.
Graph taken from Troop and Police Contributors, United Nations, accessed on June 12, 2025.
In addition to its human and financial contributions, Spain hosts key infrastructure supporting UN missions. On the one hand, the Quart de Poblet logistics support base in Valencia functions as a communication center between the UN and its field operations, in conjunction with the Brindisi base in Italy. On the other hand, the base in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria serves as a fallback location for MINURSO, activated after Morocco expelled the mission’s civilian personnel in 2015.
With regard to the strategy for gender parity in the armed forces, Spain remains below the United Nations targets: only 7.7% of deployed troops are women (target 12%) and only 4.3% of military experts and staff officers (target 22%). These figures reveal certain limitations in the implementation of the initiatives mentioned. Despite its conviction that gender equality is a bulwark against extremism and violence, Spain must strengthen the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 in order to ensure a more inclusive security sector and the full participation of women in conflict prevention.
Finally, it should be noted that no cases of sexual harassment or abuse involving Spanish troops have been reported. However, the human cost of peacekeeping operations remains evident: 42 Spanish personnel have lost their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping missions.
Data extracted from Fatalities, United Nations, accessed June 12, 2025
Conclusion and challenges ahead
Spain has always prioritized quality and effectiveness over purely quantitative criteria in its approach to peace operations. However, official data and reports indicate that it must continue to work not only to address the root causes of conflict, but also to respond to the emerging challenges facing United Nations peacekeeping operations today.
As such, Spain recognizes the risks associated with environmental degradation and climate change. The United Nations should increasingly prioritize the link between climate, peace, and security, and the UN family must integrate nature and peace at the same strategic level in order to prevent future conflicts around the world. Another key priority is the safety and mental health of deployed personnel, as well as the digital transformation of operations and the fight against disinformation and hate speech.
This is why it is essential to reach a consensus on a Pact for the Future, based on realistic and shared mandates, in order to ensure the success of peacekeeping operations. Without a solid and common foundation, future missions may fail to achieve their objectives.
Lucia C
Sources
Departamento de Seguridad Nacional. (24 septembre 2020). Naciones Unidas: Misiones de Mantenimiento de la Paz y la contribución de España. Gobierno de España. https://www.dsn.gob.es/en/node/13284
Durán, M., & Bueno, A. (2024). Gaining local legitimacy in stabilisation operations: The Spanish peacekeepers case in Lebanon – UNIFIL II. Defense & Security Analysis, 40(4), 499–518. https://doi.org/10.1080/14751798.2024.2398268
García, D. (2014). The evolution of Spanish commitment to Peacekeeping Operations. An image of Spain abroad 1989–2014. Comillas Journal of International Relations. https://doi.org/10.14422/cir.i01.y2014.006
Gobierno de España. (2020). Respuesta del Gobierno a Pregunta Escrita Congreso. Entrada 59908. https://www.congreso.es/entradap/l14p/e5/e_0059908_n_000.pdf
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación. (2 février 2024). UN Peacekeeping Operations. Gobierno de España. https://www.exteriores.gob.es/RepresentacionesPermanentes/onu/en/Areas%20tematicas/Paginas/Misiones-de-paz.aspx
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación. (14 décembre 2025). 60 aniversario de España en la ONU y presentación de la web monográfica de Marca España. Gobierno de España. https://www.exteriores.gob.es/fr/Comunicacion/Noticias/Paginas/Noticias/20151214_MINISTERIO12.aspx
Ministerio de Defensa. (2025). Ongoing Operations – Foreign Operations. Gobierno de España. https://emad.defensa.gob.es/en/operaciones/operaciones-en-el-exterior/index.html
Ministerio de Defensa. (2025). Ongoing Operations: Operation “Libre Hidalgo”. Gobierno de España. https://emad.defensa.gob.es/en/operaciones/operaciones-en-el-exterior/21-Operacion_Libre_Hidalgo/
Nagel, R., Guzman, D., & Koppell, C. (mars 2023). Monitoring Progress on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. https://giwps.georgetown.edu/resource/monitoring-progress-on-the-women-peace-and-security-agenda/
Nations Unies – Maintien de la paix. (2025). Comment sommes-nous financés ? https://peacekeeping.un.org/fr/how-we-are-funded
Nations Unies – Maintien de la paix. (juillet 2021). Espagne – Les Nations Unies remercient l’Espagne pour sa contribution inestimable au maintien de la paix. https://peacekeeping.un.org/fr/spain
Nations Unies – Maintien de la paix. (2025). Les pays contributeurs de troupes atteignant les objectifs de parité hommes-femmes. https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/operational_effect_and_women_peacekeepers_83_february_2025.pdf
Nations Unies – Maintien de la paix. (2025). MINUSCA Fact Sheet. https://peacekeeping.un.org/fr/mission/minusca
Nations Unies – Maintien de la paix. (2025). Pays contributeurs en soldats et policiers. https://peacekeeping.un.org/fr/troop-and-police-contributors
Sí, Spain. Spain and Peacekeeping Operations. https://www.sispain.org/english/foreign/europe.html
Kingdom of Spain. (2023). Statement of the Kingdom of Spain – UN Ministerial Conference, Accra 2023. https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/spain_statement_2023.pdf
UN General Assembly. (31 décembre 2024). Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of United Nations peacekeeping operations. https://docs.un.org/en/A/79/318/Add.1
