The Madeira Territorial Command of the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) held a handover ceremony on 28 October for its new commander, Coronel José Arlindo Varela Pereira.
The ceremony took place at 11:00 at the Largo da Capela de Santo António da Mouraria in Funchal and was presided over by the Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of Madeira, judge Paulo Barreto.
The coronel, a native of Canhas in the municipality of Ponta do Sol, holds degrees in Military Sciences and Law. He joined the GNR's permanent staff in 2003 and has held several posts, including commander of the Almada territorial detachment.
The Madeira Territorial Command oversees coastal and territorial sea surveillance, tax and customs crime, and enforcement of environmental and nature-protection laws.