Admiral Gouveia e Melo Threatens Legal Action Over Ventura’s Camouflage Jacket

It took only a camouflage jacket to fire up the presidential campaign. When far-right contender André Ventura showed up in Ponte de Lima dressed in military pattern, retired admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo blasted the gesture as an affront to the Portuguese Armed Forces and to every conscript who ever donned an official uniform.

At a Glance

• Who is upset? Former navy chief Gouveia e Melo, now a presidential hopeful.

• Why? Ventura wore a combat-style coat without ever having performed military service.

• Legal backdrop: Article 307 of the Penal Code punishes misuse of state uniforms; Decreto-Lei 48279 reserves camouflage fabric for the armed forces.

• Ventura’s answer: The jacket was a gift from veterans and symbolises the "order" he promises if elected.

• Real risk? Prison sentences of up to 1 year or fines can apply, but prosecutions are rare.

Why the Camouflage Jacket Touches a Nerve

In a country where universal conscription only disappeared in 2004, the Portuguese Armed Forces remain a potent symbol of national defence. Wearing elements of the official uniform without authorisation clashes with a cultural code that links the service dress to hard-earned discipline, wartime heritage, collective sacrifice, and the public trust bestowed on soldiers. For many voters, blurring that line feels like claiming a badge of honour that was never earned.

Gouveia e Melo’s Stinging Rebuke

The former vice-admiral did not mince words: "There are limits," he told reporters, adding that Ventura "doesn’t deserve to wear a farda." By insisting that uniforms belong only to those who "served the patria in uniform," Gouveia e Melo positioned himself as guardian of the military ethos, contrasting his own decades at sea with Ventura’s purely civilian résumé. The outburst also allowed the admiral to reinforce his campaign narrative of constitutional loyalty, institutional stability, and respect for non-partisanship inside the barracks.

Ventura’s Counter-Offensive

Ventura, flanked by a group of applauding veterans, retorted that critics offer only "floral speeches". Declaring himself the future Commander-in-Chief, he claimed the jacket shows solidarity with "forgotten combatants" and signals the "order" he wants to impose from Belém Palace. The move fits his broader playbook: fuse patriotic imagery with blunt promises to "straighten out" the country, lambasting rivals he says have talked for 50 years without delivering.

What Portuguese Law Actually Says

The penal code treats the "abuse of uniform" as a misdemeanour carrying up to 12 months in jail when the garment signifies public authority. A 1968 decree still bans the manufacture and sale of camouflage fabric without defence-ministry clearance; the army’s 2019 Uniform Regulation restricts combat patterns to on-duty troops. Legal scholars note that prosecutions tend to be rare and symbolic, but the statutes give police a clear basis should an offended party file a formal complaint.

Military Neutrality and Portuguese Politics

Since the 1974 Carnation Revolution, the armed forces have maintained strict political neutrality. Presidential campaigns traditionally avoid staging events on bases or exploiting insignia. By pulling military imagery into a partisan rally, Ventura risks unsettling a carefully drawn red line guarding civil-military relations, analysts say, even if that risk does not necessarily translate into lost votes among his core base.

Reactions Beyond the Two Candidates

Other contenders have so far chosen silence, wary of handing Ventura extra airtime. Military associations privately voice discomfort but avoid public rows that could look partisan. Inside government, the defence ministry quietly reminds journalists that regulations are "very clear". Political scientists, meanwhile, see the spat as an early stress test of Portugal’s ability to keep populist spectacle from eroding institutional norms.

Could the Courts Step In?

Lawyers consulted by Público and RTP explain that any action would start with a criminal complaint. Prosecutors would then weigh whether Ventura intended to impersonate a service member or merely displayed a gift. The upper penalty—one year in prison—makes the case triable, yet past incidents have ended in fines or admonitions. Still, the episode foregrounds how electoral theatrics can collide with the rule of law.

What Comes Next for the Campaign

With televised debates looming, advisers expect Ventura to double down on his strongman imagery, while Gouveia e Melo will likely spotlight his own decades of uniformed service. For voters torn between a promise of "order" and a desire for institutional respect, the clash offers a vivid preview of the arguments that will dominate the final stretch before Portuguese electors choose their next head of state.