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It seemed that Spain was ready to declare war on neighboring Portugal to stem the perceived threat of communism during the final months of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship, so what if there was a Spanish-Portuguese war of 1975.

Here is some more information.

Carlos Arias Navarro, the last Spanish prime minister to serve under Gen Franco, met with US officials to garner support for such a move.

General Franco’s government was ‘deeply concerned’ by events across the border following the ‘Carnation’ Revolution of April, 1974

The revolution, a ‘pacific’ overthrow by the Left which put an end to Portugal’s authoritarian regime and let the nation free, set on the path to democracy, reportedly ignited worries that General Franco’s own regime could go the same way.

Mr Arias privately assured the Americans that "adequate precautions" were being taken to prevent "the events in Portugal from spilling over the Spanish border," a report from the time claims.

Six months before General Franco’s death in November 1975 his prime minister met with the US deputy Secretary of State to express Spanish concerns and win backing for a military intervention.

"Portugal posed a serious threat to Spain, not only because of the way the situation there was developing, but because of the foreign support it might ultimately receive, which could be hostile to Spain," wrote diplomat Robert Ingersoll to the then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, in a report on the March 1975 meeting.

In his report Robert Ingersoll summarised, “Spain would fight the anti-communist battle alone if necessary but it hoped that it would have the cooperation and understanding of its friends, not only in the Spanish interest but in the interests of all who think the same.”
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