Vítor Alves
Encyclopedia
Vitor Manuel Rodrigues Alves (September 30, 1935 Mafra, Portugal
– January 9, 2011) was a Portuguese
soldier
and politician
. Alves, a former Captain of the Movimento das Forças Armadas
(MFA), is regarded as a leading figure in the Carnation Revolution
, which transitioned Portugal
from an authoritarian dictatorship
to a democracy
. In 1982, Alves was appointed as an advisor to Portuguese President Ramalho Eanes. He retired from the military in 1991.
Alves died from cancer at the Hospital Militar in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 9, 2011, at the age 75. He had been hospitalized for a period of time.
Mafra, Portugal
Mafra is a town in Mafra Municipality in Portugal.The town is 28 km north-west from the center of Lisbon. It is mostly known for the sumptuous Palácio de Mafra , which also makes it a popular tourist destination in the Lisbon area...
– January 9, 2011) was a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Alves, a former Captain of the Movimento das Forças Armadas
Movimento das Forças Armadas
The Movement of the Armed Forces was an organisation of lower-ranked left-leaning officers in the Portuguese Armed Forces which was responsible for the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974, a military coup in Lisbon which ended the corporatist New State regime in Portugal, the Portuguese...
(MFA), is regarded as a leading figure in the Carnation Revolution
Carnation Revolution
The Carnation Revolution , also referred to as the 25 de Abril , was a military coup started on 25 April 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal, coupled with an unanticipated and extensive campaign of civil resistance...
, which transitioned Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
from an authoritarian dictatorship
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator. It has three possible meanings:...
to a democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
. In 1982, Alves was appointed as an advisor to Portuguese President Ramalho Eanes. He retired from the military in 1991.
Alves died from cancer at the Hospital Militar in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 9, 2011, at the age 75. He had been hospitalized for a period of time.