The leader of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, currently aboard one of the humanitarian flotilla boats destined for Gaza, stated that “the first obstacle” of the journey has been overcome, referring to the “bureaucratic sabotage of the mission.”
“We departed from Barcelona and are entering the second day of the journey across the Mediterranean. We have overcome the first obstacle, which is the bureaucratic sabotage of the mission. Thus, we will continue until Gaza,” she wrote on Tuesday on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
About an hour later, on the same platform, Mariana Mortágua reported the presence of drones near the flotilla’s boats.
“There are drones circling near the flotilla boats a few nautical miles from Menorca. These are humanitarian vessels. Why are we being watched?” she questioned.
Saímos de Barcelona e estamos a entrar no segundo dia de viagem para atravessar o mediterrâneo. Ultrapassamos o primeiro obstáculo, que é a sabotagem burocrática da missão. Assim continuaremos, até Gaza.
— mariana mortágua (@MRMortagua) September 2, 2025
Há drones a circular perto dos barcos da flotilha que estão a umas poucas milhas náuticas de Menorca. São navios humanitários. Porque nos vigiam?
— mariana mortágua (@MRMortagua) September 2, 2025
Mariana Mortágua is aboard one of the 50 boats carrying humanitarian aid, joined by hundreds of people, including activists and public figures from 44 countries. The humanitarian fleet heading to Gaza is named ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’.
The organization describes this mission as the “largest solidarity mission in history.”
Three Portuguese nationals are part of the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’: apart from the deputy Mariana Mortágua, activist Miguel Duarte and actress Sofia Aparício. The presence of world-renowned figures, such as Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, American actress Susan Sarandon, and Irish actor Liam Cunningham, has also been confirmed.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is an initiative of various non-governmental organizations, including the Freedom Flotilla, the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Nusantara Sumud Convoy, and the Global Movement for Gaza, as well as other international organizations.
Mariana Mortágua criticized the Portuguese government for continuing to refuse support for the flotilla heading to Gaza. The first boats departed from Barcelona this Sunday. See the images in the photo gallery below.
Notícias ao Minuto com Lusa | 14:53 – 31/08/2025
Boat set sail but had to return to Barcelona
The ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’, consisting of several vessels loaded with humanitarian aid, food, and medicine, set sail around 4:00 PM (local time) from Barcelona on Sunday but had to return to Spain just a few hours later due to bad weather.
Vessels departed on Sunday afternoon from Barcelona heading to Gaza, but had to return to Spain a few hours later due to bad weather. A new departure is being decided on the morning of this Monday.
Natacha Nunes Costa | 09:57 – 01/09/2025
Government dismisses responsibilities for protection of Portuguese citizens
The government argued that it has no obligation under international law to accompany and protect the flotilla heading to Gaza with deputy Mariana Mortágua, activist Miguel Duarte, and actress Sofia Aparício. Meanwhile, Spain assures diplomatic protection to the flotilla.
“Participation in the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’ constitutes an autonomous civil society initiative, without any link or obligation to the Portuguese State,” stated the department overseen by Paulo Rangel, in response to the newspaper Observador regarding the mission.
The ministry further reiterated that, “under international law, there is no legal responsibility on the part of the Portuguese State to protect the ship or its crew.”
The Government defends that it has no obligation under international law to accompany and protect the flotilla going to Gaza with the deputy Mariana Mortágua, the activist Miguel Duarte, and the actress Sofia Aparício. Meanwhile, Spain assures diplomatic protection to the flotilla.
Notícias ao Minuto com Lusa | 08:09 – 31/08/2025
