Azores, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Praia da Vitória.
The head of the executive reiterated that he would not comment further on the matter 'for reasons of confidentiality and security'.
The Government of the Azores stated that the region has been losing out on fair compensation for the United States' use of Lajes Field, though it deemed it 'imprudent' to revise the bilateral agreement in the current international climate. During a parliamentary debate, Vice-President Artur Lima argued that the base should serve both international security and the development of the Azores, criticizing successive Portuguese governments for failing to defend the region's interests. While the Chega party pushed for an immediate review of the agreement to secure real benefits, other parties expressed varying views on the timing and necessity of renegotiation, amidst heightened tensions following recent military actions in the Middle East.
The Government of the Azores argued today that the region has been losing 'fair compensation' for the use of Lajes Air Base by the United States, but deemed it 'reckless' to revise the bilateral agreement in the current context.
A 65-year-old woman passed away on the way to the hospital and another person suffered injuries.
A proposal from Chega deputies aims to conduct a strategic assessment of that air base.
A 74-year-old foreign national was arrested in the act.
On Sunday, March 15, a day after being re-elected as PS secretary-general, José Luís Carneiro accused the Government of being unable to address fundamental strategic issues. He cited Defence Minister Nuno Melo's claim that he has been waiting eight months for contributions from Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to finalise the National Defence Strategic Concept. Carneiro, speaking in the Azores, also confirmed he would request a meeting with President António José Seguro and reiterated his party's willingness to seek solutions for the country while criticising the Government's perceived incompetence.
The PS leader reacted to the fact that Nuno Melo stated he had been waiting several months for the Foreign Minister's contribution to finalise the National Strategic Defence Concept.
Socialist Party (PS) Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro accused the Government of being unable to address strategic issues, citing the failure to revise the Strategic Concept of National Defence, which the socialists had approved in 2023. Speaking in the Azores, Carneiro highlighted that Defence Minister Nuno Melo is still waiting for input from Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel. Carneiro argued that this delay reflects a devaluation of the Azores' strategic importance and demonstrates the Government's overall incapacity to manage fundamental national security matters.
The Portuguese Navy coordinated the medical rescue of a 37-year-old Polish national aboard a tanker southwest of Terceira Island in the Azores. According to a statement released on Saturday, March 14, the alert was received on Thursday at 13:35 local time, reporting that a crew member had a suspected complete Achilles tendon rupture requiring hospital care. In coordination with the Centre for Urgent Patient Guidance — Sea (CODU-Mar) and the Lajes Air Search and Rescue Centre (RCC Lajes), a Portuguese Air Force EH-101 helicopter was deployed to rescue the victim. The victim was transported to Terceira Island airport, arriving at 15:30 local time on Saturday, and was subsequently transferred to a hospital by an ambulance from the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service.
