Armed Forces demonstrate capacity on Gamboa beach

18/01/2010

Praia residents were able to watch a number of different maneuvers, simulations and demonstrations of the expertise and rescue capacity of the Armed Forces in a veritable spectacle both on land and on the sea.

In the opinion of the commander of the 3rd Military Region, the maneuvers serve first and foremost to show that the Marines are prepared for any eventuality in which they will have to defend the country both on land and on the sea. “The Marines are very much prepared for this,” guaranteed Jorge Andrade, who highlighted the Armed Forces’ role in the protection of Cape Verde’s Exclusive Economic Zone and its participation in various security activities in collaboration with other institutions, including the Public Order Police and the Judiciary Police.

Andrade believes that for citizens to take maximum advantage of the country’s military institutions, they need to feel confidence in the Armed Forces, which are always prepared and ready to defend the country.

In contrast with other similar activities, Andrade lamented the absence of a large crowd at the beach, but said that even the relatively small number of onlookers did not take the shine away from the spectacular quality of the maneuvers. Proof of this is a statement by one of the few people present, 25-year-old Paulo Lima, who told A Semana Online that he had witnessed “important activities” that demonstrated that the country is secure.

24-year-old Vanusa is of the same opinion. “These activities are extraordinary and important for the country, especially with regards to ocean search-and-rescue missions,” she said.

Cape Verdean Armed Forces Day is commemorated on January 15. The date marks the 43rd anniversary of the day Cape Verdean soldiers, who had undergone military training in Cuba, committed themselves to embracing the armed struggle for Cape Verde’s liberation from Portuguese colonial domination.