Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Rubio Visits Portugal, Praising Ally and Seeking Deeper Ties
Marco Rubio, a top US diplomat, visited Portugal on Thursday.
He said the United States wants to build stronger ties with Portugal.
Portugal has allowed the US to use an air base in the Azores for certain operations during the Iran war.
The permission came with conditions, according to Portuguese officials.
Portugal’s foreign minister said it did not allow actions that break international law.
Some political parties questioned whether using the base was lawful.
The attorney general’s office is looking into that question.
Rubio’s visit was the last stop on a tour of three NATO allies.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Lisbon on Thursday during the final stop of a three-country tour of NATO allies.
Rubio said the visit was intended to reinforce ties with Portugal, which he called a cooperative ally.
Portugal granted the United States conditional approval to use Lajes Field during the Iran war.
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said the approval did not cover hostile actions contrary to international law.
Portugal’s attorney general’s office is examining the base’s use after a complaint from the Left Bloc.
- Who
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Portuguese officials, including Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel.
- What
- Rubio visited Portugal to reinforce ties; Portugal had conditionally approved US use of Lajes Field.
- When
- Thursday, during the final stop of Rubio’s three-country tour.
- Where
- Lisbon and Lajes Field in Portugal’s Azores islands.
- Why
- Rubio said the trip was intended to reinforce US ties with Portugal; he was also expected to thank officials for supporting US operations by allowing use of the air base.
Concerns and conditions
Alliance support
Use of Lajes Field
Concerns and conditions
The Left Bloc lodged a formal complaint, prompting an inquiry into whether use of the base was lawful. Paulo Rangel said the approval did not include hostile actions contrary to international law.
Alliance support
Portugal’s centre-right government granted Washington conditional approval, and members of the government said Portugal was fulfilling its duties as a US ally.
- Tour
- The Portugal visit was the final stop of a three-nation tour of NATO allies.
- Base
- Lajes Field is in Portugal’s mid-Atlantic Azores islands.
- Approval
- Portugal granted conditional approval for US use of Lajes Field.
- Legal review
- The attorney general’s office is looking into the legality of the base’s use after a complaint by the Left Bloc.
- Defence spending
- Portugal spends just over 2 per cent of GDP on defence and says it plans to increase spending to around 3 per cent.
- Military personnel
- NATO says Portugal has around 25,000 military personnel.