Portugal’s cartooning community has seldom faced such heightened tension. A recent indictment by the Public Prosecutor’s Office revealed that a far-right neo-Nazi group had compiled a list of people it labeled as threats. Among those named were cartoonists Cristina Sampaio and André Carrilho. The revelation came as a shock to both, who had no prior indication of the danger looming over their work.
Cristina Sampaio expressed immediate unease upon learning her name had appeared on the list. While the threat itself was alarming, she was more troubled by what it signified for democratic values in the country. “It’s not just about me,” she explained. “It’s about how our political space is shifting, and the growing hostility toward diversity and inclusion.”
André Carrilho, who co-founded the Spam Cartoon project, believes his and others’ inclusion stemmed from their editorial content. Spam Cartoon, a nine-year-long weekly animated editorial series on Portuguese state television, drew ire from right-wing groups. These critics claimed the cartoons showcased media bias, despite the team maintaining editorial independence. “We were a convenient target for far-right frustration,” Carrilho said, adding that the group used their work to push political narratives.
Sampaio has previously found herself in peril due to her cartoons. In 2023, she was sued by a Portuguese police union, which alleged that one of her animations spread false information and undermined the police force’s credibility and prestige. Though the case was eventually dismissed, she says she faced online threats—including from police officers—who accused her of discrediting law enforcement.
Carrilho pointed to the increasing hostility toward cartoonists since 2019, when the far-right party Chega gained political prominence. Before that, he recalled, Portuguese cartoonists enjoyed relative freedom. “Since the Carnation Revolution, cartooning was seen as a protected form of expression,” he said. “But now, with Chega growing in power, we find ourselves under constant attack.”