“Last Sunday, following a series of incidents, a senior official from Lotaçor threatened me with death on an airplane. This is unacceptable,” lamented Chega party member José Pacheco during a session at the Regional Assembly in Horta, noting that he has filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the incident, which he describes as “a disgrace to Azorean democracy.”
José Pacheco disclosed that the same Lotaçor official had previously threatened fishermen and even employees of the fish market company, urging the Regional Government, which oversees the public company, to take drastic measures.
“I can’t be constantly looking over my shoulder when I’m out on the street because I have a family and can’t have someone threatening me with death. This man either goes to jail or loses his position,” the Chega deputy insisted.
The Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, who also oversees Lotaçor, considers the accusation by José Pacheco “very serious,” while reminding that threats of this nature “need to be proven” through proper channels.
“What was stated here at the Assembly is very serious. Naturally, I maintain confidence in the entire Board of Directors of Lotaçor until notified otherwise,” the official asserted, noting that neither the Government nor Lotaçor has received any notification regarding the incident to date.
Mário Rui Pinho believes such situations “also require proper analysis” and the accusations should be “proven” before any governmental action is taken on the matter.
