Paolo Zuccarelli is the name put forward to take command of San Marino’s Gendarmerie. A colonel in Italy’s Carabinieri corps, the officer brings experience spanning special military operations, legal consultancy and international security force training.
His career includes a posting as legal advisor (LEGAD) at COFS, the Joint Special Forces Operations Command, the Italian military body that coordinates the activities of special units across the various branches of the armed forces.
Zuccarelli has also served at CoESPU in Vicenza, the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units, where he oversaw international advanced training programs for foreign security forces.
His candidacy follows the decision by the current commander, General Maurizio Faraone, to bring his term to an early close.
The Congress of State formalized the nomination proposal on 13 October. The choice must now be reviewed by the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale).
Zuccarelli is also set to be awarded the military rank of one-star general, with the remaining formalities entrusted to the Military Congress.
The appointment follows the direction already announced on 11 September by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Luca Beccari, who had indicated the Government’s intention to select the Gendarmerie’s new commander from among Carabinieri officers.
