Frank Abrego
Frank Abrego | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 16, 1963 |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation |
Frank Alexis Abrego Mendoza (born 16 January 1963) is the founder of the Republic of Panama 's border patrol agency, SENAFRONT.[1] He was succeeded by director general Cristian Hayer in 2016.[2]
Career[edit]
Abrego was appointed director general of the Republic of Panama 's border patrol agency, SENAFRONT, by then President Martin Torrijos.[1] He was the only service chief retained by President Ricardo Martinelli and thus far SENAFRONT 's longest serving leader.[1] During his term in office, Abrego maintained generally positive relations with the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and counterpart agencies in neighboring Colombia and Costa Rica.[3] Local and international media widely regarded Abrego as a highly influential figure in the Darien Province, where many SENAFRONT operations are based.[4]
Abrego resigned his position as SENAFRONT director general in 2016 under President Juan Carlos Varela.[5] Abrego went on to occupy several low profile public sector positions, until re-emerging as the first chief of the newly created Council of Security Consultation under Presidents Juan Carlos Varela and now Laurentino Cortizo.[6] Like President Cortizo's brother, Moises Cortizo, Abrego served in the now defunct Panamanian Defense Forces and maintained close ties to late General Manuel Noreiga.[7]
Background[edit]
Abrego received extensive training at the General Francisco Morazán Military Academy in Honduras, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC; formerly known as the School of the Americas) and attended the Officer's Staff Course conducted by the US Special Forces.[4] Young Abrego returned to Panama to serve in the now defunct Panamanian Defense Forces under late General Manuel Noreiga.[8] He was a member of the elite Batallon 2000 unit, which surrendered to US forces early into the United States invasion of Panama.[9] Like many former Panamanian special forces officers, Abrego transitioned into law enforcement, sub-sequentially spending 22 years working for the National Police of Panama, including in riot control and anti-terrorism operations.[1] Abrego also headed Panama's border patrol affairs prior to its separation from the National Police of Panama and establishment as an independent entity heavily funded by the United States.[10]
Personal life[edit]
Abrego is currently married to Angela de Abrego and speaks little English.[4] He is an open admirer of late General Omar Torrijos and local press has frequently compared the two men's mannerisms.[4] He is Roman Catholic.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Frank Ábrego, el zar de Darién". La Prensa. Feb 8, 2015. Retrieved Oct 20, 2019.
- ^ Panamá, GESE-La Estrella de. "Varela designa a Cristian Enrique Hayer nuevo director de Senafront". La Estrella de Panamá. Retrieved Oct 20, 2019.
- ^ "SENAFRONT PANAMA". www.senafront.gob.pa. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved Oct 20, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "PANAMA: Neutralizing vs. Honoring Power – The Ex-"Zsar of the Darien's" Fate". Young Diplomats. Apr 25, 2017. Retrieved Oct 20, 2019.
- ^ Octubre, Corprensa Apartado 0819-05620 El Dorado Ave 12 de; Panamá, Hato Pintado; Panamá, República de (Feb 8, 2015). "Senafront: el otro 'gobierno' en Darién". La Prensa. Retrieved Oct 20, 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Panamá, GESE-La Estrella de. "Frank Ábrego sale de Senafront y ocupará cargo en Cancillería". La Estrella de Panamá. Retrieved Oct 20, 2019.
- ^ "60 Minutes - Manuel Noriega (1988)". Retrieved Oct 20, 2019 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "full text" (PDF). apps.dtic.mil. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-10-20. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Panamá, GESE-La Estrella de. "Temor y suspicacias por nueva misión de Frank Ábrego en área revertida". La Estrella de Panamá. Retrieved Oct 20, 2019.
- ^ "Varela respalda al Senafront en Darién". La Prensa. Nov 24, 2014. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved Oct 21, 2019.