# Azores Liberation Front

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Azores_Liberation_Front
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Azores_Liberation_Front.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores_Liberation_Front
> Source revision: 1344483432
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|Portuguese political party}}
{{Infobox militant organization
| name             = Azores Liberation Front
| logo             = File:Flag of the Azores Liberation Front.svg
| caption          = The flag used by the FLA
| native_name      = Frente de Libertação dos Açores
| native_name_lang = pt
| other_name       = FLA
| leader           = Rui Medeiros
| foundation       = 8 April 1975
| dates            = 
| dissolved        = 
| merger           = 
| split            = 
| predecessor      = 
| merged           = 
| successor        = 
| country          = {{flag|Azores}} ([Portugal](/source/Portugal))
| allegiance       = 
| clans            = 
| motives          = Azorean independence from Portugal
| area             = 
| headquarters     = 
| newspaper        = 
| ideology         = [Separatism](/source/Separatism)<br>[Nationalism](/source/Nationalism)<br>[Anti-communism](/source/Anti-communism)
| position         = 
| slogan           = 
| crimes           = Bombing<br>Destruction of property
| attacks          = 
| status           = 
| size             = >100
| revenue          = 
| financing        = 
| partof           = 
| allies           = 
| opponents        = 
| battles          = 
| flag             = 
| website          = 
| module           = 
| module2          = 
| module3          = 
| module4          = 
| module5          = 
| module6          = 
}}

The '''Azores Liberation Front''', more commonly known as the '''FLA''' ({{Langx|pt|Frente de Libertação dos Açores}}) was a [right-wing](/source/right-wing) [paramilitary](/source/paramilitary) organization with the goal of forceful independence of the [Azores](/source/Azores), appearing right after the [Carnation Revolution](/source/Carnation_Revolution) and whose actions included [violent](/source/violent) attacks on political opponents in 1975. It has remained a dormant organization since,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=16 October 2016 |title=Açores, a independência que nunca chegou |work=Notícias Magazine |url=https://www.noticiasmagazine.pt/2016/acores-a-independencia-que-nunca-chegou/historias/20734/ |access-date=30 July 2023}}</ref> with occasional press releases on political issues of the islands.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Açores |first=RTP, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal-RTP |date=2023-07-30 |title=FLA critica comemorações do 10 de junho - Política - RTP Açores - RTP |url=https://www.rtp.pt/acores/politica/fla-critica-comemoracoes-do-10-de-junho_58164 |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=www.rtp.pt |language=pt}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=17 June 2018 |title=Frente de Libertação dos Açores repudia forma como decorreram comemorações do 10 de junho |work=Açoriano Oriental |url=https://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/frente-de-libertacao-dos-acores-repudia-forma-como-decorreram-comemoracoes-do-10-de-junho-289418 }}</ref>

In 2006 Rui Medeiros became president of the group, and has stated in a 2016 interview that the group is no longer pursuing violent means. Medeiros claims that the group has a membership in the hundreds.<ref name=":0" /> The founder of the group, José de Almeida, died in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Observador |first=Agência Lusa |title=Morreu o líder histórico da Frente de Libertação dos Açores |url=https://observador.pt/2014/12/01/morreu-o-lider-historico-da-frente-de-libertacao-dos-acores/ |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=Observador |language=pt-PT}}</ref>

==History==
The FLA was founded by José de Almeida in [London](/source/London), on April 8, 1975. Almeida, a former representative of the Acção Nacional Popular (English: ''Popular National Action Party'') in the National Assembly, modeled his actions on the [Madeira Archipelago Liberation Front](/source/Madeira_Archipelago_Liberation_Front) (FLAMA).<ref>Carlos Taveres, 2009</ref>

{{Cquote|The Azorean independentistas are not 'Che Guevaras'. It is not ideology that motivates us, we never fell to that temptation. What mobilizes us is the Azores and remains the Azores.
| float = right
| source = José de Almeida
}}

In the beginning, the movement was responsible for violent intimidation tactics groups or organizations counter to their own political sensibilities.<ref name=":3" />Although it was supported by the local merchants and entrepreneurs on the island of São Miguel, fearful of the possible nationalization of businesses, the group was sociologically popular with the agrarian-classes on the island, having its origin in the seigneur system of inheritances that had existed in the archipelago during its settlement. There was some fear that the lean towards socialism on the continent would result in the loss of land rights and personal possessions in a presumed collectivization. As the [Portuguese communist party](/source/Portuguese_Communist_Party) accumulated more power, fear of [Portugal](/source/Portugal) becoming a pro-[Soviet](/source/Soviet_Union) puppet state started to grow and was nourished by the right-wing political movements. Around the same time, the [tumultuous transition to democracy](/source/Processo_Revolucion%C3%A1rio_Em_Curso) (with its [nationalization](/source/nationalization) policies) became very unpopular among Azorean farmers and industrialists, mostly from [São Miguel](/source/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island) island who organized themselves to resist the "red danger".

From an economic perspective, the FLA based their success on a future re-negotiation of the [air base](/source/Lajes_Field) lease in [Lajes](/source/Lajes_(Praia_da_Vit%C3%B3ria)), [Terceira](/source/Terceira) and the use of geothermal energy to maintain their local economy, during the initial isolation following a declaration of independence and economic support from the Azorean [diaspora](/source/diaspora).  
Even though the organization gained some support for some time, it was virtually dead by the end of the 70's. [Autonomy](/source/Autonomous_regions_of_Portugal) was granted to the Azores and [Madeira](/source/Madeira) (where a similar organization existed, the [Madeira Archipelago Liberation Front](/source/Madeira_Archipelago_Liberation_Front)) by the [Constitution](/source/Constitution_of_Portugal) of 1976, cooling the explosive situation, and the communist threat was slowly eroding.

=== Recognition ===
José de Almeida attempted repeatedly to negotiate with the [U.S. Department of State](/source/U.S._Department_of_State), in order to gauge support for Azorean independence in the administration. Unfortunately for the FLA, after November 25th the proposal was rejected by the administration as unrealistic.<ref>''CABRAL, Berta Maria Tavares Sousa; DE MENESES, Avelino de Freitas (2017). Uma Neutralidade Atenta. A Diplomacia Norte-Americana e as Movimentações Independentistas nos Açores em 1975 (PDF). [S.l.: s.n.]'' {{ISBN|978-972-9220-27-2}}  https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/61443223.pdf</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=ENES |first=Carlos |title=A violência da FLA quase tomou conta da ilha (a agitação política e social na Terceira, 1974-76) |publisher=Instituto Histórico da Ilha Terceira |year=2024 |isbn=978-972-9220-52-4 |edition=2. |location=Angra do Heroísmo |language=Portuguese |trans-title=when the F.L.A. violence almost took over the island}}</ref> covert actions of the Frente de Libertação dos Açores were possible, though, through nascent support.

===Protest===
Members of the FLA in Ponta Delgada, along with right-leaning members of the PPD and CDS and property-owners hoping to cause a change in government policy, associated with price of milk, meat, canned goods and potential agrarian reform, organized a protest on the 6 June 1975.<ref name="Centro">{{cite web |url=http://www1.ci.uc.pt/cd25a/wikka.php?wakka=PulsarJunho75 |title=Cronoligia Pulsar da Revolução |publisher=Centro de Documentação, University of Coimbra |accessdate=9 August 2013 |year=2012 |language=Portuguese |location=Coimbra, Portugal}}</ref> Rapidly, the protest degenerated and the crowd marched on the Palace of Conceição, to demand the resignation of Civil Governor [António Borges Coutinho](/source/Ant%C3%B3nio_Borges_Coutinho), with cries of ''"Viva a Independência"'' and ''"A FLA basta para o [MFA](/source/Movimento_das_For%C3%A7as_Armadas)"'' heard.<ref name=Centro/> The Military Governor, General [Altino Pinto de Magalhães](/source/Altino_Pinto_de_Magalh%C3%A3es) did not intervene in the protests and the Governor resigned.<ref name=Centro/> What became known as the [Micalense Farmers' Protest](/source/6_June_1975_Micalense_Farmers'_Protest) was the first political success for the members of the Front, but was short-lived: within a period of 24 hours members of the FLA, as well as sympathizers, were rounded-up throughout the islands and imprisoned.<ref name=Centro/> They were eventually released and prosecutions were dropped through lack of evidence. The protests would lead to the establishment of the Regional Junta of the Azores.<ref name=Centro/>

On 12 August, members of the FLA stated that the movement would use violence in order to obtain its objectives of an independent archipelago.<ref name="AN">{{Cite web |url=http://abril-de-novo.blogspot.com/2009/08/prec-cronologia-do-ano-de-1975-xxii.html |title=PREC: Cronologia do Ano de 1975 - XXII |publisher=Abril de Novo  |accessdate=27 February 2011 |language=Portuguese}}</ref> The group then approved several internal motions to force the transfer of members of the PCP and their sympathizers (including 3 parish priest) off the islands.<ref name="AN"/> Already, the movement had created a military far-right wing, during a meeting in the Canaries, even as they had indicated their desire to abandon the armed struggle if Portugal followed the Grupo dos Nove.<ref name="UC8"/> A day later (19 August 1975) the headquarters of the PCP in [Ponta Delgada](/source/Ponta_Delgada) and PCP [MDP/CDE](/source/MDP%2FCDE) and MES in [Angra do Heroísmo](/source/Angra_do_Hero%C3%ADsmo) were destroyed.<ref name="UC8">{{Cite web |url=http://www1.ci.uc.pt/cd25a/wikka.php?wakka=PulsarAgosto75 |title=Cronoligia Pulsar da Revolução |publisher=Centro de Documentação, University of Coimbra |accessdate=9 August 2013 |year=2012 |language=Portuguese |location=Coimbra, Portugal |archive-date=10 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010054626/http://www1.ci.uc.pt/cd25a/wikka.php?wakka=PulsarAgosto75 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

By 21 October, the FLA was denounced by their critics as acting with impunity on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel, with the support of civil and military authorities.<ref name="AN"/> Around this time the FLA's manifesto was proclaimed across the Radio Clube in Angra, resulting in some citizens banding together to create an ''Esquadrão da Noite'' for self-defense against the FLA.<ref name ="UC9">{{Cite web |url=http://www1.ci.uc.pt/cd25a/wikka.php?wakka=PulsarOutubro75|title=Cronoligia Pulsar da Revolução |publisher=Centro de Documentação, University of Coimbra |accessdate=9 August 2013 |year=2012 |language=Portuguese |location=Coimbra, Portugal}}</ref>

===Decline and subsequent revival===
Even though the organization gained support for some time, it entered a state of dormancy beginning in the late 1970s. [Autonomy](/source/Autonomous_regions_of_Portugal) was granted to the Azores and [Madeira](/source/Madeira) (where a similar organization existed) by the [Constitution](/source/Constitution_of_Portugal) of 1976, cooling the explosive situation, and the communist threat slowly eroded. The geo-political strategic importance of the Azores continues to be debated by regional and international interests. The FLA elected a new president in 2006, Rui Medeiros.<ref name=":0" /> The group began to make press statements regarding various political issues on the islands.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Medeiros stated in an interview that "armed combat today would make no sense," and wishes for the group to be represented as a political party. It is still a clandestine organization, and has not disclosed its membership numbers, though Medeiros claimed that the FLA consists of "hundreds" of members.<ref name=":0" />

Owing to economic issues resulting from the Portuguese financial crisis, during the late 20th century and early 21st century, ''FLA'' graffiti began to appear in many of the islands of the archipelago. {{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} Although not a political support of the party, the graffiti was seen as an anti-establishment instigation by youth and party faithful.{{According to whom|date=November 2022}}

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist}}
;Bibliography
*{{cite web|url=http://ww1.rtp.pt/acores/?article=8679&visual=3&layout=10&tm=3|first=Carlos|last=Tavares|title=Independentistas açorianos não são Che Guevaras - afirma líder da FLA José de Almeida|publisher=RTP Açores|accessdate=25 May 2010|year=2009|language=Portuguese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229205549/http://ww1.rtp.pt/acores/?article=8679&visual=3&layout=10&tm=3|archive-date=29 February 2012|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.azoresglobal.com/canais/noticias/imprimir.php?id=4730|title=FLA apareceu à custa da Base das Lajes|trans-title=FLA Appeared at the Cost of the Lajes Base|publisher=Via Oceânica, Lda.|accessdate=16 May 2010|language=Portuguese}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.azoresglobal.com/canais/noticias/imprimir.php?id=4630|title=Açores perceberam que Acordo das Lajes é mau|trans-title=Azoreans Understood the Lajes Accord is Bad|publisher=Via Oceânica, Lda.|accessdate=18 May 2010|language=Portuguese}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Paramilitary organisations based in Portugal
Category:Politics of the Azores
Category:National liberation movements
Category:Right-wing militant groups
Category:Independence movements
Category:Far-right politics in Portugal
Category:Separatism in Portugal

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Azores Liberation Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores_Liberation_Front) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores_Liberation_Front?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.