Some news on the struggle for land in Brazil

We share a resume of some news found in the newspaper A Nova Democracia.

Guarani-Kaiowá Peasants Resist Forced Displacement

The climate of war against the Guarani-Kaiowá indigenous peasants in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, intensified with the attack on the Pakurity land occupation, which has been in judicial dispute for 15 years. Big landlords and goons besieged the area, using a tractor to intimidate and control the indigenous people. The attacks began with trucks and armed men, forcing the Guarani-Kaiowá to take refuge in the jungle, where one indigenous person was injured and a girl broke her arm while fleeing.

The big landlords dug a trench to prevent the return of the indigenous people to their territory, interrupting their access to food and water, as the only well they managed to dig provides contaminated water. During the siege, they also damaged internet infrastructure, affecting half a million people.

The Military Police at the service of the big landlords, fired live ammunition and tear gasses at the indigenous people who attempted to cross the trench. Despite the violence and threats, the Guarani-Kaiowá refuse to leave the area, stating, “You can kill me, but we will not leave.” The situation reflects a serious conflict over land and the rights of indigenous peoples in Brazil.

You can watch a special reportage from AND about these developments here:

Peasant Resistance Against Latifundium and the Treacherous Leader

An intense armed conflict erupted on March 16 in the Nonoai indigenous lands, in the region of the Missions, due to the resistance of the Kaigang people against Chief José Honorário Nascimento, who was leasing indigenous lands to promote big landlord monoculture of soy. This situation has generated insecurity within the indigenous community and has brought violence, drug and arms trafficking.

A spokesperson for the resistance reported that the shooting began at night and continued the next day, with Nascimento’s group, which includes non-indigenous people and criminals, attacking the community. The Kaigang, who lack resources to defend themselves, are facing a leadership that has perpetuated abuses for 40 years. Nascimento has threatened violence if the protests do not cease.

Since July 2023, the Ministry of Justice has authorized the use of National Forces in the region, but their presence has been ineffective and has contributed to the oppression of the community. Following the recent confrontations, the National Indian Foundation, which downplayed the situation, has been criticized for its complicity with the leadership, contradicting agreements that guaranteed the exclusive usufruct of the lands by the indigenous community.

Latifundium Dries Up Brazil

In the last two years, the area without water in Brazil has increased by 970,000 hectares, primarily affecting the Pantanal and the Amazon. The Pantanal lost 61% of its water capacity in 2024, while the Amazon, which accounts for more than 60% of the country’s water, experienced a reduction of 3.6%. This worsening is linked to the advance of monoculture latifundium, which consumes 70% of the water in Brazil and is responsible for most of the fires, driven by agricultural expansion for soy.

The fires, largely human-caused, are used to quickly clear forested areas and manipulate the market, driving up product prices. Additionally, the latifundium has intensified its attacks on rural communities, such as indigenous and Quilombola peoples to seize land and water resources. A recent case involves the Guarani-Kaiowá, who are facing attacks to attempt to grab their lands in favor of agricultural production for export.

The government finances latifundium through the Safra Plan, allocating billions to big landlords while cutting resources and neglecting the demands of preservation workers, thus contributing to the water and climate crisis in the country.