Annotations for Countries: Cabo Verde

Latin America reports on recent political and economic developments between Brazil and Africa. Brazil's booming economy is leading it to seek markets while supplies, and commodity agreements with certain African nations. While Brazilian diplomats are experiencing some success here, there are delicate political problems concerning Brazilian Portuguese ties. Portugal, the only remaining European power to hold outright colonies has been battling growing liberation movements in recent years.

Brazil, a former colony itself, won its independence peacefully in the 19th century, largely because of Napoleonic Wars racking the European continent. Now, Brazil seems to have eclipsed its mother country economically, but politically the two remain on the same level. Both countries are ruled by extremely repressive dictatorships.

Some members of the African Independence Movement fear actual military involvement by Brazil and Guinea-Bissau, the colony in which Portugal seems closest to military defeat. They report that Brazilian officers in Portuguese uniforms were detected in Guinea and Cabo Verde last November. Further evidence was provided by opposition groups in Portugal who reported on conversations between Brazilian officers and the Portuguese authorities in Lisbon. One concrete suggestion is believed to have been that Brazil and Portugal should establish a joint naval base in the Cabo Verde Islands. This from the British News Weekly, Latin America.