"We are living in a complete anarchy, and the strength of the State must be demonstrated through a rigorous criminal investigation that must be launched into the ringleaders behind these demonstrations—because what is at stake are serious crimes against the security of the state."
These forceful remarks—made yesterday, Sunday, November 1, on CNN Portugal—did not come from an ordinary commentator or social analyst. They were voiced by Gil Rodrigues de Carvalho, a former director of the Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária) who, for decades, was the lead investigator responsible for uncovering the perpetrators of Portugal’s most grave crimes—including those involving Brazilian drug-trafficking factions operating under the tutelage of Lebanese Hezbollah operatives.
Deeply knowledgeable about Portuguese history and experienced in various international missions, Carvalho distinguishes between the genuine hardships faced by young people due to poor living conditions and the true agendas of those who incite social chaos to further damage the country.
"Public order is at stake", he states. "We are facing total anarchy. This must be stopped now. Even statues of historical figures—symbols of the nation—have not been spared from the protesters' vandalism; such acts should lead to arrests in the act." Ultimately, he asserts, "it is the exclusive mandate of the Judiciary Police to investigate these matters; otherwise, the anarchy will continue to spread, with no end in sight."
While expressing support for the Public Security Police (PSP)—whose approach to dispersing protesters "has generally been measured and restrained" - Carvalho strongly advises against fining drivers who honk their horns in support of the demonstrators, warning that doing so would "conflate serious matters with minor offenses."
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and other center-right political figures have accused left-wing parties and external or radical groups of attempting to manufacture or amplify social unrest, drawing parallels to protest waves seen in other European countries like Spain (such as the Blocus or Acampada movement inspirations).
In turn, some commentary and authorities have raised concerns that localized, genuine grievances about housing costs are being co-opted or instrumentalized by transnational activist networks, or complicated by fringe elements looking to challenge public order rather than focus strictly on housing policy.
