Latest news and stories about diaspora in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Portuguese-Venezuelan community in Caracas has urged Secretary of State Emídio Sousa to increase Portugal's support for vulnerable citizens living in Venezuela.
The article argues that the current presidential election process effectively disenfranchises some Portuguese citizens living abroad, meaning the incoming President will not represent all nationals. It analyses practical and legal barriers facing the diaspora, the democratic and legitimacy implications of unequal voting access, and points to reforms (expanded consular services, remote voting, legislative change) needed to ensure equal political participation for expatriates.
More than 158 million Brazilians were called to the polls this Sunday for the second round of the presidential election contested between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro.
The Regional Director of External Cooperation of Madeira says that there are families living in Venezuela who have always needed support. The Madeira government has sent 180,000 euros in aid.
Bolieiro highlights the role of the Azores as a vital connection between Portugal and North America.
Brazilian supporters of Lula in Portugal are trying to strengthen the vote to help the PT candidate overcome his first-round defeat in the runoff. 2.2 million votes gave the advantage to Flávio Bolsonaro
The regional leader of the Azores recommends that “many statesmen” re-read the American Declaration of Independence.
The Sociedade de Beneficência Damas Portuguesas (SBDP) has warned that, four months after the double earthquake that devastated homes and businesses, the Portuguese community in Venezuela faces the challenge of rebuilding not only infrastructure, but also lives.
Sancho Gomes has reinforced collaborative efforts with the Embassy of Portugal.
Thousands of Brazilians gathered at the University of Lisbon to vote in the first round of the Brazilian presidential election, highlighting a deep political divide marked by symbolic colours. Supporters of Jair Bolsonaro donned the Brazilian national team's yellow jersey, while supporters of Lula da Silva wore red, the colour of the Workers' Party. The atmosphere was tense, with voters expressing strong ideological convictions and concerns about the future of the country, while some chose neutral attire to avoid the politicisation of national symbols. The day concluded with polls closing and a high abstention rate of over 70% among the Brazilian diaspora in Lisbon.
The President of the Regional Government visited the Azorean community in Toronto and Brampton, where he is inaugurating a replica of the City Gates of Ponta Delgada.
The President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, stated on Friday that the archipelago is “with open arms” for the return of the diaspora, highlighting investment opportunities in tourism, real estate, the blue economy, and new technologies.
The 10 containers sent contain food, medicine, personal hygiene products, and surgical supplies. Seven containers departed from Lisbon and the other three from the Port of Leixões.
The request was made through a joint statement signed by 106 organisations from Latin America, North America, and Europe.
A statement reflecting on the global reach and identity of the Portuguese diaspora.
According to the regional director for Communities and External Cooperation, “30,000 euros will be transferred this week to the Madeiran diaspora's associative movement” in Venezuela.
The Bishop of Funchal concluded a six-day visit to Venezuela today, calling for solidarity and aid for the victims of the June 24 double earthquake that affected six states in the country, primarily La Guaira.
Approximately 600,000 Portuguese citizens officially reside in Venezuela, a figure the community itself claims is below reality, insisting there are closer to 1.2 million, down from the 1.5 million that existed in the country about five years ago.
The ambassador dismisses the possibility of a large-scale migration of Portuguese citizens from Venezuela back to Portugal.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that there are no longer any missing citizens.
The number of Portuguese citizens and people of Portuguese descent killed in the double earthquake that struck Venezuela on 24 June has risen to 136, according to the latest report from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, 1 August. Of those deceased, 108 were adults and 28 were minors, with 116 also holding Venezuelan nationality. The number of missing persons has decreased from ten on Thursday to five. The two tremors, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck the north of the country on 24 June, particularly the coastal state of La Guaira near Caracas, causing at least 5,546 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and 17,907 displaced persons, according to official data. The earthquakes occurred 200 kilometres from Caracas, less than a minute apart, and were followed by hundreds of aftershocks, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The Portuguese-origin population in the United States is around 1.4 million. While this may seem small compared to Irish or Italian-Americans, it is vital to maintain strong ties with this diaspora. Organizations like the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) play a crucial role in this relationship, particularly through initiatives like the 'Legislators’ Dialogue', which brings together Portuguese-American politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties. These figures, such as Jim Costa, David Valadao, and Samantha DeCorte, serve as a bridge between the two nations, fostering cooperation that transcends partisan lines and strengthens the historical 250-year bilateral bond.
12 Portuguese citizens remain missing
The Socialist Party has put forward a proposal for an emergency aid programme to assist Portuguese nationals impacted by seismic activity in Venezuela.
The double earthquake that struck Venezuela on 24 June has caused the deaths of 130 Portuguese citizens and people of Portuguese descent, according to the latest figures released this Wednesday by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE). The previous toll, released on Monday, indicated 121 Portuguese and Portuguese-descendants had died. Among the 130 Portuguese citizens and people of Portuguese descent...
The economic and cultural weight that Portuguese people abroad carry contrasts, ironically, with their actual political weight in the Assembly of the Republic.
The Portuguese government has dispatched humanitarian supplies to Venezuela as part of a new relief effort in the aftermath of recent seismic activity.
The number of Portuguese citizens and people of Portuguese descent who died in the double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 110, and there are 55 people missing.
Montenegro did not come to be with the community.
