Brazil government authorizes Armed Forces deployment on indigenous lands in Rio Grande do Sul state

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The federal Ministry of Justice and Public Safety has authorized the National Force and the Federal Police in the indigenous lands of the Caingangues in Serrinha, Rio Grande do Sul.

In recent months, conflicts motivated by fighting between tribes have caused deaths and indiscriminate violence. The military will patrol the area of about 2,000 hectares, where about 1,700 indigenous people live.

Published in the Federal Gazette on Tuesday (19/10), the measure aims to authorize the employment of the National Public Security Force in support of the Federal Police in the Indigenous Land Serrinha, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

In addition to disputes over land, the native peoples of that region also face imbroglios related to the legitimacy of the chiefs who command the area.

According to the publication, the military will act in “activities and services essential to preserving public order and the safety of people and property, on an episodic and planned basis.” Both the National Force and the Federal Police will remain on the land for 30 days, which can be renewed upon authorization by Minister Anderson Torres.

Besides Serrinha, which is located between Ronda Alta and Engenho Velho, there will be a presence of officers in Guarita, the largest indigenous area in Rio Grande do Sul, which is located between Tenente Portela and Redentora. This region borders Argentina.

Among the incidents that mobilized the National Force was the death of two indigenous Caingangues men, who allegedly disagreed with the leadership of the tribe’s chief. They are accused of attacking the cacique (chief) Márcio Claudino, whose car was shot 24 times.