DGS
| General Security Directorate | |
|---|---|
| Direcção-Geral de Segurança | |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1969 |
| Preceding Agency | Polícia Internacional e de Defesa do Estado |
| Dissolved | 1974 |
| Jurisdiction | Portugal |
| Headquarters | Lisbon |
| Parent Agency | Ministry of the Interior |
In 1969, Marcello Caetano changed the name PIDE to DGS (Direcção Geral de Segurança, "General Security Directorate"). The death of Salazar and the subsequent ascension of Caetano brought some attempts at democratization, in order to avoid popular insurgency against censorship, the ongoing colonial war and the general restriction of civil rights. This resulted in a decrease in the perceived level of violence used by the secret police and a consequent reduction in its effectiveness.
Read more about this topic: PIDE