[2] He studied in Petrolina and Recife before entering the aeronautic school at Campos dos Afonsos in Rio de Janeiro.

[2] Pinto undertook activities related to the construction, reform, and enlargement of some of the most important airports in Brazil.

This term was marked principally with involvement in encouraging settlement and socio-economic development, with an aim towards transforming the territory into a state.

[2] In 1985 he ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Boa Vista, before becoming a federal deputy from 1986 to 1990, jointly with his wife, Marluce Pinto.

In November 2004, however, the Supreme Electoral Court relieved Portela of his duties amid corruption scandals, and made Pinto governor.