Juan Luis Beigbeder

Juan Luis Beigbeder y Atienza (31 March 1888 – 6 June 1957) was a Spanish military and political leader who held the positions of Chief of Indigenous Affairs and later High Commissioner in the Protectorate of Morocco from 1937 to 1939 then, just after the Spanish Civil War, served as Minister of Foreign Affairs between 12 August 1939 and 16 October 1940, during the rule of Francisco Franco.

He took part in the wars in Africa in 1909–1910, participating in the battles of Aid Yedida, Benicorfet, Hosmar Beni, Beni-Salem and the march on Chefchaouen.

On 18 July, he went to inform the Khalifa Muley Hassan and the Grand Vizier of Tetouan that a military rebellion that was taking place, getting the support of both leaders.

On 2 December 1937 the newly created National Council of the Movement met for the first time, and Beigbeder was one of five soldiers who participated as a member.

Beigbeder was accused of having a weakness for foreign women, including an English friend, Rosalinda Powell Fox, who might have been a spy, and was put under house arrest in Ronda.

Beigbeder (center), High Commissioner of the Spanish Protectorate in Morocco, on board of the German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee at anchor at Ceuta in May 1939. He is flanked by Admiral Hermann Böhm and Kapitän zur See Hans Langsdorff .
Beigbeder being sworn in as Foreign Minister in the presence of Franco. August 1939, Burgos .