UNIS/BIO/674
13 May 2003
New Permanent Representative of Colombia Presents Credentials
VIENNA, 13 May (UN Information Service) -- The new Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations (Vienna), Rosso José Serrano Cadena, presented his credentials today to Antonio Maria Costa, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).
Mr. Serrano Cadena retired as General of the National Police in 2000, a position he held since 1994.
He joined the National Police in 1960. During his career, he distinguished himself by his work in the fight against drugs, drug trafficking and the persecution of the drug barons of the Cali Cartel. As Director for Drug Control he initiated the eradication of illicit cultivations and achieved considerable results. He assisted and visited the United States, Bolivia, Germany, Great Britain and the Dominican Republic in the fight against drugs. Mr. Cadena participated in the International Conference for Drug Control in Buenos Aires, under the auspices of the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
He is a member of the National Corporation of Lawyers and has been a consultant for George Washington University.
Born on 30 August 1942 in Vélez (Santander, Colombia), Mr. Serrano Cadena received a doctorate in law and political sciences from "La Gran Colombia" University, and graduated in police administration from the cadet school "General Santander".
Mr. Serrano Cadena received numerous national and international decorations.
He is married and has three children.
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