The pace of U.S. aircraft movements at Lajes Air Base in the Azores has intensified in recent weeks, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel acknowledged, while emphasizing that any such activity falls squarely within the longstanding bilateral agreement between Lisbon and Washington. He also noted that under the terms of that accord, the United States may use the base without prior notification in certain circumstances.
Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council, Rangel sought to reassure reporters that American use of Lajes remains governed “exclusively, and as it must be, by the treaty in force between the two countries.”
“That use concerns overflights, parking, and, where applicable, technical stopovers,” he said, adding that such operations are authorized under the general provisions of the agreement, which includes tacit approvals granted on relatively short notice.
Rangel acknowledged that during his tenure there have been “more than one instance” of heightened activity at the base, but insisted there is “no framework beyond the general framework” established decades ago.
Asked about the possibility of U.S. military action involving Iran, the minister was unequivocal: “Any other operation that falls outside that framework does not have to be authorized, known, or communicated to Portugal. It never has been, and it would not be now.”
He stressed that under existing treaties, the United States may use the base for any operation without giving prior notice—an arrangement, he said, that mirrors agreements at American facilities in other European countries.
“We are complying with the Lajes agreement and will continue to do so to the end. These are the rules that have been in place for decades,” Rangel said. “The U.S. uses the base under the terms of its agreement with Portugal. That is what will happen, and it has nothing to do with how the United States characterizes any particular operation. Look at the past 60 years—it has always been this way. We fulfill our obligations.”
At the same time, the foreign minister struck a note of restraint and diplomacy. “Portugal has consistently called, including in the matter of Iran, for differences to be resolved through peaceful means. That has been Portugal’s position, and it will continue to be.”
In a separate interview with CNN Portugal, U.S. Ambassador to Lisbon John Arrigo downplayed suggestions of any change in how Lajes is being used and declined to comment on potential involvement in a Middle East conflict.
“I cannot anticipate the president or comment on military aircraft movements,” Arrigo said. “But I want the Portuguese people to know that we are doing exactly what we said we would do many years ago. Nothing has changed, and I don’t see that changing.”
Arrigo, an automotive industry executive and longtime friend of former President Donald Trump, also dismissed speculation that Washington harbors ambitions regarding the Azores, similar to public discussions surrounding Greenland.
“I think that’s pure speculation,” he said. “I have never heard President Trump mention anything about the Azores or Portugal. He has no trouble saying what he thinks, and he has never mentioned that.”
The ambassador further rejected reports that the United States plans to close its consulate in Ponta Delgada. “We’re excited about the consulate,” Arrigo said. “The team is small but powerful, and they do excellent work. I don’t see them going anywhere.”
Looking ahead, Arrigo identified two central priorities for his tenure: narrowing the U.S. trade deficit with Portugal and encouraging greater Portuguese investment in defense, with a medium-term target of 5% of GDP.
“We have a $3.8 billion trade deficit with Portugal,” he said. “My role is to try to balance that somewhat—to show Portuguese companies that the United States also makes very good products. I believe that by doing so, we can reduce that deficit.”
In Diário Insular-José Lourenço-director
Photos from Facebook Group Eu sou da Ilha Terceira Video by F. Meneses.
Novidades - The Islands and the Diaspora 