New Attacks by the Latifundium in Brasil

We hereby share some of the latest news on attacks shared by A Nova Democracia.

Military Police, Bulldozers and Drones Against Peasants

On 17th of October the Shock Troop of the Military Police (MP) attacked the lands of the Guaraní-Kaiowá in Mato Grosso do Sul, attempting to expel the peasant families from their land. The attack left nine people injured, four by teargas and five by rubber bullet shots. Among the injured there was a 14 year old teenager.

Since the day before, the peasants blockaded the road in an attempt to stop the land grabbing. In this context the MP was deployed against the people to fulfill the illegal eviction at the service of the latifundium.

Several times the peasants denounced the poisoning of their homes and school, putting them and their children’s lives in severe risk. Furthermore, the MP came without any judicial order to expel the peasants. As A Nova Democracia states, military forces of the old State do not apply the laws of the old State when it comes to repressing peasants. Several times similar evictions took place, like in the Farm of São Fernando and in a seizure of land by the MST in April, both in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul.

Peasant leaders farm burned by goons

The newspaper Notícias Agro é Fogo reported on a group of goons that burned the farm of a peasant leader in Maranhão. According to witnesses, the goons threatened to arson the land so the big landlord could plant and set a new farm.

Attacks by the latifundium are not new in the area. Five small peasants were murdered due to land conflicts, according to the Network of Agroecology of Maranhão. The residents denounce the neglect of the old State, which work limits to fill the police report and not coming back.

The majority of the families of the community left, for fear of being murdered. However, the peasant leader stays firm: “I will not die so easily, i have lost the fear” – he stated.