Portugal Situation and Security Report Wednesday 29^th November 2023

Good morning – Firstly I would like to cover the 17th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI), which ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness. Produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the GPI is the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness.

Europe remains the most peaceful region in the world and is home to seven of the ten most peaceful countries. Portugal was in 7th place globally, (5^th in Europe) up one place since last year, compared to neighbours Spain in 32nd place and France 67th place. The UK was in 37th place.

Portugal was 16th place in the Safety and Security domain, up one place from last year, but 7 places lower than 2020. Globally this domain has deteriorated 5.4 per cent between 2008 and 2023. Of the 11 indicators in this domain, nine deteriorated and two improved. The largest deterioration occurred in the violent demonstrations indicator, with 120 countries seeing the impact. This domain evaluates the level of harmony or discord within a nation; eleven indicators broadly assess what might be described as Societal Safety and Security. The assertion is that low crime rates, minimal terrorist activity and violent demonstrations, harmonious relations with neighbouring countries, a stable political scene and a small proportion of the population being internally displaced or made refugees can be equated with peacefulness.

What caught my eye, however, in studying this report was that 2022 was the deadliest year for armed conflict since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the deadliest year in the history of the GPI. This was driven by more than 100,000 deaths in the war in Tigray in northern Ethiopia. The battles between the Ethiopian Defence Force, ally Eritrea and rebel group TPLF is the single deadliest event since 1994. Ukraine also saw at least 82,000 conflict deaths in 2022. Conflict-related deaths in Mali increased 154 per cent in 2022, with violence against civilians rising by 570 per cent, while in Myanmar, conflict-related deaths increased by 87 per cent. In contrast, the level of violence in other conflict affected areas fell sharply over the past year. Conflict-related deaths fell by 91 per cent in Afghanistan, and by 63 per cent in Yemen.

Unfortunately both violence and peacefulness can be contagious. Actions in one region or country can spill over into bordering regions and countries, leading to virtuous or vicious cycles where peace and conflict move in tandem. We await the GPI report for 2024 to see how far current major conflicts currently ongoing have impacted on neighbouring countries, especially the war between Hamas and Israel.

As most people are aware there are many fraudulent schemes and scams that operate through social media. Most are there to get you to part with your money, usually through offering items at unbelievably low prices or through illegitimate or illegal means.   An example of the latter was surfaced yesterday by the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT) who gave a public alert related to a fraud scheme in obtaining a driving license.

According to the organization, there is a scheme being shared on social media and via SMS that promises to obtain a legal license to drive in exchange for a sum of money. IMT stated on its official website: “The IMT does not communicate payment for any of its services through these means, and therefore should not proceed, at any time, with the requested payment”. If you receive one of these SMS, and do not drive, DO NOT be tempted to try and obtain a licence through illegal means. There is no short cut to obtaining a driving licence which requires the passing of a test and obtaining a licence through the IMT

We remind people that accidents resulting from the use of a mobile phone whilst driving are one of the largest causes of road deaths. Between November 28 and December 4, ANSR, PSP and GNR are launching the campaign: “At the wheel, the mobile phone can wait”. The campaign integrates moments of monitoring and awareness among drivers and passengers. Unfortunately it would appear from the fact that many drivers ignore this, they do not understand the consequences of their actions, and the impact this may have on other road users who do follow the law.

Lastly we thank all of you who visited our stand at the Christmas Fair organised by Amigos de Museu do Traje in São Brás de Alportel, held on Sunday 26th November. By far the largest number of enquiries concerned the Emergency ID Card which was initiated by Safe Communities Portugal and developed by us in conjunction with the INEM, PSP and GNR. This can be completed and downloaded from our website, and carrying this with you means that if you have an accident, the emergency services have vital information that facilitates life support at the scene. More details and download here;

With this message our newsletter team, Susan, Mike, Chris and I wish you a safe week ahead.

News

Judicial Police seize more than 4 Tonnes of Cocaine from a warehouse in Lisbon

Lisbon, 28 Nov 2023 (Lusa)- The Judiciary Police (PJ) announced today the seizure of more than four tons of cocaine hidden in boxes of bananas in a warehouse in Lisbon, as part of an operation to combat international drug trafficking.

In a statement, the PJ said the process of detecting and removing the 4.4 tons of drugs was difficult, as they were disguised in several boxes of bananas, which in turn were housed on pallets inside maritime containers.

The cocaine came from Ecuador, reached national territory by sea, and had its final destination in other European countries, which are not specified.

During this operation, no arrests were made in Portugal, however the PJ considers that relevant evidence was collected, and the information was shared with authorities in other countries.

“Operation Anchor”, launched in recent months, had the support of the Tax and Customs Authority and is part of the effort to combat illicit cocaine trafficking, developed by the Judiciary Police in conjunction with foreign authorities.

Montalegre Municipality captured 14,654 Asia Hornets in the 2023 Campaign.

Montalegre, Vila Real, 28 Nov 2023 (Lusa) – The municipality of Montalegre captured 14,654 Asian wasps in the trap network and eliminated 56 nests in the 2023 campaign, which took place within the scope of the municipal plan to combat this invasive species, it was announced today.

The municipality in the North of the Vila Real district took stock of the 2023 campaign to combat the velutina wasp, also known as the Asian wasp, and reported that, this year, 14,654 wasps were captured, dispersed throughout the municipality’s territory.

The Asian wasp is a predator of bees and other native pollinating insects, and is a threat that has expanded in the country.

According to the Montalegre council, the vast majority of captures made in the municipality were foundress wasps, that is, wasps capable of creating their own nest (future queens).

The plan is being implemented by the Forestry Technical Office and is led by technician José Luís Tavares.

“The trap network presents excellent results, capturing a significant number of velutina wasps, however, it is important to bear in mind that these wasps are never all captured and that the participation of all citizens in identifying and signalling nests is increasingly necessary, . (Primary and secondary)”, said the person in charge, quoted in a statement.

As he explained, this year began with “a mild winter, in which the less extreme cold was favourable to the survival of many hibernating wasps, which in more adverse circumstances could perish”.

“In addition, the high temperatures in spring and summer were favourable for the wasps to disperse,” he added.

In 2023, the network of traps to combat the velutina wasp 2023 included 250 units spread across the municipality. The campaign took place between May and August, that is, it lasted four months, with eight fortnightly monitoring sessions.

According to the municipality, the parishes of Cabril, Salto and Ferral account for around half of all catches made, which “evidences that the lowest and bordering areas of the municipalities of Vieira do Minho, Terras de Bouro and Cabeceiras de Basto are the most affected by this plague.”

So far, he said, five primary nests (diameters between five cms and 10 cms) and 51 secondary nests (diameters between 30 cms and 80 cms) have been identified and duly eliminated.