Indigenous Protests Erupt Against Cargill in Brazil Over Waterway Concessions
SAO PAULO (AP) — A significant protest involving hundreds of Indigenous people has been ongoing for nearly a week at a Cargill facility in Santarem, located in northern Brazil. The demonstration is a response to a controversial decree signed in August by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This decree permits the federal government to consider private concessions for waterways, effectively transferring responsibilities for maintenance, dredging, and vessel traffic management to private operators.
The Tapajos and Arapiuns Indigenous Council, representing 14 Indigenous groups, is spearheading the protest in the state of Para. They assert that the government failed to consult the affected communities, which is a requirement under both national legislation and international conventions. The council warns that the proposed dredging projects pose a significant threat to the Tapajos River, Indigenous territories, and the delicate environmental balance of the Amazon rainforest. Protesters have vowed to remain at the site until the Lula administration revokes the decree, emphasizing their commitment to protecting their land and resources.
Cargill’s Role and Government Response
The choice of Cargill as the protest site is strategic; the company is one of the world’s largest agricultural commodity traders and is viewed as a symbol of predatory agribusiness practices. Indigenous leaders argue that Cargill pressures the government to endorse projects that jeopardize the rainforest. “All we want is awareness and for the government to acknowledge that it made a mistake and must respect our rights,” stated Indigenous leader Auricelia Arapiun. She referenced commitments made during COP30, the annual U.N. climate conference held last year in Belem, which is approximately 550 miles from the Cargill facility.
Cargill has acknowledged the protest, noting that the presence of demonstrators at the main truck gate has obstructed vehicle access to its terminal. While the company respects the right to protest, it clarified that the issues raised are beyond its authority or control. Meanwhile, the Secretariat-General of Brazil’s Presidency, responsible for dialogue with social movements, has committed to conducting free and prior consultations regarding any interventions related to the Tapajos waterway concession. The office has indicated that discussions with civil society representatives are ongoing.
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Indigenous groups reported a virtual meeting with government officials last Sunday and anticipate an in-person assembly at the protest site on Friday. However, the government office has not confirmed its attendance.
Environmental Concerns and Future Implications
The implications of the proposed dredging projects extend beyond immediate Indigenous rights. According to Renata Utsunomiya, a policy analyst with the Infrastructure and Socioenvironmental Justice group, the plans for dredging the Tapajos River are interconnected with other infrastructure projects in the Amazon, including a proposed railway. This development is driven by the agricultural commodities sector’s demand, particularly for soy and corn, along an export corridor.
Utsunomiya warns that a waterway concession that includes expanded dredging and shipping capacity, coupled with the Ferrograo railway, would intensify pressures on Indigenous territories and protected areas. This could lead to increased deforestation, land grabbing, and other long-standing environmental issues in the region. The ongoing protests highlight the urgent need for dialogue and consideration of Indigenous rights in the face of infrastructural development in the Amazon.
