URGENT: LCP Condemns the Criminal Execution of the Peasant Leader Adeildo Gonçalves Calheiro

We hereby share an unofficial translation of an urgent note on the murder of a peasant leader published by A Nova Democracia.

The 43-year-old peasant leader Adeildo Gonçalves Calheiro known as “Flecha” (Arrow), was brutally executed on the morning of January 23 in the Pari settlement, in Alto Paraguai, Mato Grosso (MT). According to the press, the operation was carried out by the Special Operations Battalion (BOPE) of the Military Police (MP) of MT, in cooperation with the repression forces of Rondônia.

The National Commission of the League of Poor Peasants (LCP), contacted for this report by AND, is suspicious the police version. “At least, it is strange that this crime, committed by BOPE of MT, was first reported in Rondônia”, the commission stated in a note; it then emphasized that the only report provided by the murderers was “the highly suspicious version of the repressive forces, which serve the big landlords, responsible for the murder of thousands of peasants, indigenous people, and Quilombolas”.

The movement highlights that, contrary to the accusations, “comrade ‘Flecha’ is not and has never been a bandit”. “He is a prominent and beloved peasant leader, committed to the Agrarian Revolution until his last breath, who participated in the struggles in the Lamarca I and Lamarca II areas; he joined the movement, taking responsibility of all necessary tasks, and contributed to the masses conquering their long-awaited and sacred land in Santa Elina, Gonçalo I and Gonçalo II, Raio de Sol, Canaã, Renato Nathan 2, and Valdiro Chagas. He also bravely raised the glorious name of Gedeon in the Machadinho D’Oeste region”, the LCP recalls.

“We proudly raise the name of our comrade, hated a thousand times by the old State and the big landlords for contributing to their defeat in several battles. His honorable life and his death in combat make us stronger. Comrade ‘Flecha’: Present in the struggle!”, the LCP concludes.