Indigenous leaders in Santarém, Brazil, have stated they will only vacate the Cargill port area once an official revocation of decree 12,600 is published in the official government gazette.
Indigenous groups occupying the access area to the Cargill port in Santarém, Pará, have announced that they will only initiate their withdrawal from the site once the revocation of decree 12,600 is officially published in the Diário Oficial da União. This decision was made clear by community leaders during the occupation, emphasizing that their continued presence is a tactic to ensure the government formally recognizes the revocation. Cacique Rogério Arapiun highlighted that the revocation signifies a historic victory for the indigenous peoples of the Tapajós region.
The protest has lasted for 33 days, during which indigenous leaders have pushed for the revocation of a decree they feel was unjust and detrimental to their rights. The conversations with government ministers, including Guilherme Boulos and Sônia Guajajara, have underscored the importance of this moment for indigenous rights in Brazil. The leaders noted that their mobilization is not only about obtaining a revocation but also about gaining recognition and respect for their ancestral lands and culture.
This situation reflects the ongoing struggle of indigenous peoples in Brazil against governmental policies that threaten their territories and rights. The emphasis on the need for formal documentation reveals the mistrust towards the government and the importance of legal recognition in the fight for land rights. The outcome of this mobilization not only impacts the local community of Santarém but could also set a precedent for similar indigenous movements throughout Brazil, making it a significant moment in the broader context of indigenous rights advocacy in the country.
