Henrique Gouveia e Melo
Admiral Henrique Eduardo Passaláqua de Gouveia e Melo GCA ComA (born 21 November 1960) is a Portuguese Navy officer, currently serving as the Chief of the Naval Staff, since December 2021.
Henrique Gouveia e Melo GCA ComA | |
|---|---|
| Chief of the Naval Staff | |
| Assumed office 27 December 2021 | |
| Appointed by | Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa |
| Preceded by | António Mendes Calado |
| Coordinator of the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Task Force | |
| In office 3 February 2021 – 28 September 2021 | |
| Appointed by |
|
| Preceded by | Francisco Ramos |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Commander of the European Maritime Force | |
| In office 19 September 2017 – 19 September 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Donato Marzano |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Philippe Rolland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Henrique Eduardo Passaláqua de Gouveia e Melo 21 November 1960 Quelimane, Portuguese Mozambique |
| Alma mater | Naval School |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Portugal |
| Branch/service | Portuguese Navy |
| Rank | Admiral |
Previously, while he was serving as Adjutant for Planning and Coordination of the Armed Forces General Staff, Gouveia e Melo rose to national prominence after being appointed coordinator of the Task Force for the successful national COVID-19 vaccination plan, that saw Portugal having the highest vaccination rates in the world. Gouveia e Melo had previously served as a Commander of the Portuguese Fleet (Comandante Naval) from 2017 to 2020 and, from 2017 to 2019, as Commander of the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR).
Due to his prominent role during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, Gouveia e Melo was included in Jornal de Negócios's list of 50 Most Powerful People of 2021, which included both Portuguese and international personalities. His popularity has made Gouveia e Melo be tipped by the media as a potential future presidential candidate.