Carlos Lacerda e as conexões em Portugal: trajetória política entre 1956 e 1977

Abstract

This study explores the political and personal relationship of Carlos Lacerda with Portugal, examining his political actions in parallel with the historical contexts of both countries. It analyzes Lacerda's trajectory from his opposition to Getúlio Vargas to his relations with the Salazarist regime and his diplomatic endeavors in Portugal. The research delves into the factors that brought Lacerda closer to the Portuguese government, particularly after the 1964 CivilMilitary Coup, which distanced him from national politics and encouraged him to strengthen ties with Salazar's regime. The early relations between Brazil and Portugal are addressed, emphasizing Lacerda as a "Portuguese at heart", building connections based on cultural heritage and political interests. Drawing on a detailed examination of historical documents, including records from the International and State Defense Police (PIDE) and other Portuguese repositories, the research explores diplomatic events that shaped Lacerda's perspective on Portugal, influenced both by his family heritage and the political context of the time. It investigates the interests behind Lacerda's friendship with Portugal between 1960 and 1965, revealing how he sought to influence Brazilian foreign policy to support the maintenance of Portuguese colonies in Africa during the Colonial War. As Governor of Guanabara, Lacerda aimed to strengthen these ties for immediate political objectives and his presidential ambitions. Moreover, the study presents Lacerda as a strategist of colonial domination, emphasizing his involvement with the Frente Ampla and his defense of Portuguese colonialism, as well as his relationships with Salazar and Marcello Caetano. This phase of the research highlights Lacerda’s strategies to maintain his influence in Brazilian and Portuguese politics, even after losing his political mandate and being imprisoned by the Brazilian dictatorship in 1968. Finally, the thesis examines Lacerda’s final years in politics, exploring his support for the Carnation Revolution in 1974 and his collaboration with General Spínola, with whom he maintained a close relationship. Lacerda's support for the revolution reflects his attempts to influence Portugal's future even in his later years, underscoring the complexity of his political legacy. The research is grounded in a wide range of primary sources, including diplomatic documents, correspondence, and records from the Portuguese press, complemented by interviews and family testimonies that provide intimate insights into Lacerda’s personal motivations. This thesis contributes to historiography by deepening the study of intersections between Brazil and Portugal politics in the 20th century, offering new perspectives on transnational connections and Carlos Lacerda's role in Luso-Brazilian relations.