Portugal grants U.S. full access to Azores' Lajes Air Base amid political backlash
Portugal has granted the U.S. full access to Lajes Air Base in the Azores for transporting military equipment. The decision was confirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who praised Portugal’s cooperation. Meanwhile, the Left Bloc (BE) is pushing for a parliamentary inquiry into how the base’s use was authorised.
The Left Bloc’s coordinator announced plans to submit a proposal for an inquiry commission as early as this weekend. The party claims the government has made contradictory statements about Lajes Air Base and accuses officials of misleading the public.
The commission would examine whether public declarations by Portugal’s minister of state and foreign affairs were consistent over time. It would also probe the approval process for U.S. military flights, including which aircraft used the base, their schedules, and the terms of their authorisation. If any conditions were attached to the approvals, the Left Bloc wants the commission to review official records of those agreements. The party insists the government must clarify its role in facilitating U.S. military operations linked to tensions with Iran.
The inquiry, if approved, will focus on transparency around Lajes Air Base’s use. It aims to establish a clear record of Portugal’s involvement in U.S. military logistics. The Left Bloc’s proposal will soon be presented to parliament for debate.
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