by 1972, the paigc controlled much of portuguese guinea despite the presence of the portuguese troops, but the organization did not attempt to disrupt portuguese control in cape verde. portuguese guinea declared independence in 1973 and was granted de jure independence in 1974. a budding independence movement — originally led by amílcar cabral, assassinated in 1973 — passed on to his half-brother luís cabral and culminated in independence for the archipelago in 1975.