Minister Guilherme Boulos from the General Secretariat has drawn ire from government colleagues after playing a key role in the revocation of a presidential decree concerning a concession program for waterways in the Amazon. This program has faced strong opposition from indigenous communities in the Tapajós region of Pará, who argue that using rivers to transport agricultural products threatens their way of life. Recent protests have erupted at Cargill facilities in Santarém and São Paulo, reflecting local discontent with the government's approach to environmental and indigenous rights issues.

On Monday, Boulos engaged in direct negotiations with President Lula, who is currently traveling in Asia, regarding the decree's revocation. The announcement came during a meeting Boulos held with Minister Sônia Guajajara, representatives of indigenous groups, and social movements at the Palácio do Planalto. This indicates a shift in policy that seeks to empathize with indigenous rights amid growing social tensions surrounding the management of the Amazon's waterways.

The reaction from various ministries was immediate, with complaints emerging from the Civil House, the General Advocacy of the Union (AGU), and the ministries of Ports and Airports and Agriculture. However, despite these objections, the decision to revoke the decree prevailed, highlighting the internal conflicts within the government over how to balance development and environmental sustainability in one of the world’s most significant ecosystems.