Latest News in the Struggle for Land in Brazil
Featured image: ‘Land title now! Out with the land grabbers of the Finger family!’ Peasants from the Union of Communities in Struggle (UCL) march for the land titling of the Campina Glebe, in Junco do Maranhão (MA) Source: Comsolute/A Nova Democracia
We hereby share some of the latest news on the struggle for land based on reports from The New Brazil Bulletin published in A Nova Democracia on the 14th of July.
Maranhão: Peasants demand the immediate hand-over of the land title for the Campina Glebe
On June 27th, over a hundred peasants from different villages in the Gurupi River Valley gathered in an event in Vilela organized by the Union of Communities in Struggle (UCL) to demand immediate land titling for the Campina Glebe. The participants denounced the history of land grabbing, threats, and violence against them. The dispute originates with the arrival of the big landlord Nestor Osvaldo Finger, who dishonestly claimed ownership of 128,000 acres of land, later gaining 30,000 acres more, including lands used by the peasants of Iricuri, Murujá, Pimentinha, Manaus da Beira, Nova Vida, Vilela, and Glória.Recent.
The resistance organized by the peasants has managed to push back the advance of the land grabbing; After a blockade of the MA-206 highway in November 2023, the ruling in favor of Finger’s heirs was suspended. In January 2024, three land titles were blocked, and a report produced after a visit to the area recognized the peasant occupation of the Campina Glebe.
Mato Grosso do Sul: Residents of Porto Esperança denounce contamination and demand the mine be shut down
Residents of Porto Esperança have voiced serious concerns about contamination from LHG Mining, which is owned by the Batista brothers and belongs to the J&F group. The mining operations produce reddish ore dust and continuous noise, affecting the quality of life significantly. Many families, reduced from over 600 to 60-80, suffer from health issues. Former Residents’ Association president José Domingos Benites criticized the superficial improvements offered by the company, highlighting community needs are being ignored. The Corumbá Expansion Project is projected to invest 788 million USD to increase ore production from 2 million up to 25 million tons, and to expand operations even more drastically towards the areas occupied by the families. This threatens the living conditions of the locals, raising also fears of environmental damage and further contamination. The residents’ campaign against the mine seeks immediate cessation of operations, as stated by singer and songwriter Moacir Lacerda:
Espírito Santo: Families from João Gomes resist against a new eviction
Families from João Gomes resist eviction as the government of Espírito Santo, led by Ricardo Ferraço, retracts its commitment to transfer state-owned land in Palhal to the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (INCRA), and plans to continue the repossession actions. The 49 families -with around 75 children and elderly residents now inhabit the area – who have lived in the area for 11 years and faced three prior evictions, have rebuilt their homes and enhanced agricultural production since returning in 2018,
