Raúl Yamandu Rosende Rodriguez

Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General

UN Verification Mission in Colombia

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced on 15 March 2022 the appointment of Raúl Rosende of Uruguay as his new Deputy Special Representative in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.    

Mr. Rosende succeeds Karla Samayoa Recari of Guatemala to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her leadership and dedicated service in Colombia.  

Mr. Rosende brings 32 years of experience in conflict mediation, peacebuilding, elections and humanitarian affairs, having served with the United Nations in diverse conflict and post-conflict settings, most recently as Director of Verification and Chief of Staff in the Verification Mission in Colombia.  He previously served as United Nations Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria (2015-2016), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Head of Office for Syria (2013-2015), Yemen (2011-2013) and Colombia (2005-2008); and held earlier United Nations postings in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Colombia, Afghanistan and Guatemala.  Prior to his work with the United Nations, he served in Central America with the Organization of American States, supporting the implementation of peace processes. 

Mr. Rosende holds a Master’s degree in Peace Studies from Coventry University, UK, and is fluent in English and Spanish.