JAGUAPIRÉ INDIGENOUS TERRITORY, MATO GROSSO DO SUL— Indigenous peoples helped elect Lula in 2022. Now they are paying for it.
On Sunday night, the home of Dona Nandesy Roberta, 90-year-old spiritual leader (ñandesy) of the Jaguapiré territory, was set on fire in what leaders call a retaliatory attack against the Guarani-Kaiowá.
No one was injured, but her house — also a prayer house where she holds traditional ceremonies — was destroyed.
"They want to burn our spirit". "They burned the house of our grandmother, our prayer," said one resident. "It is an attack on our whole people."
Leaders say threats against Guarani-Kaiowá have surged since the Oct 26 presidential election where Lula narrowly defeated Jair Bolsonaro. Reports documented by the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI) and Aty Guasu assembly include: -
Poisoning threats: Bolsonaro-aligned local officials in Douradina and Dourados reportedly threatened to poison community water wells.
Armed invasions: Farmers and illegal miners linked to agribusiness unions in core Bolsonaro base — entering retaken lands with tractors.
Intimidation: Gunmen circling villages at night in Amambai and Caarapó.
A history of dismantling:
During 2019-2022, ex-President Jair Bolsonaro dismantled protections: -
- Paralyzed FUNAI, the Indigenous agency
- Transferred land demarcation to Ministry of Agriculture
- Openly encouraged mining in Indigenous lands: “Not one centimeter more will be demarcated."
Result, per Instituto Socioambiental and INPE: Attacks on Indigenous peoples doubled, Amazon deforestation rose 59-75%.
Lula reversed it: Re-created Ministry of Indigenous Peoples under Sonia Guajajara, resumed demarcations of 8 territories including Jaguapiré (declared in April 2023 but still not fully homologated), boosted IBAMA enforcement.
Why now again?
Flávio Bolsonaro, senator and now leading candidate to succeed his father (who is barred and facing trial for coup attempt), vowed on campaign trail to follow father's footsteps: "We will reverse Lula's demarcations. No more Indigenous land expansion."
The Bolsonaro family draws strong support from ruralistas — farmers, ranchers and illegal garimpeiros who illegally occupy Indigenous land for soy, cattle and gold, displacing residents for profit. The Guarani-Kaiowá, 54,000 people confined to 0.5% of their ancestral land in MS, are Brazil's most attacked group — 80% live in overcrowded reserves, with highest suicide and malnutrition rates.
Jaguapiré itself is emblematic: 2,040 hectares, retaken by community in 2021 after 40-year land dispute with farmer who claims title. Still awaiting final homologation.
Demand for action APIB (Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil), CIMI and Survival International condemned the attacks, demanding:
1. Full federal police investigation into arson of Nandesy Roberta's house
2. Immediate protection by National Force for Jaguapiré
3. Federal intervention against threats to poison water
4. Urgent homologation of Jaguapiré and other Guarani-Kaiowá lands. "They helped Lula defeat fascism at the ballot. Now the state must protect them from fascism on the ground," APIB said in a statement. Dona Nandesy, who survived the military dictatorship, expulsions in the 1970s, and three retomadas, slept last night in a neighbor's hut. Her family says she will rebuild and pray again.
Tags: #GuaraniKaiowa #Jaguapire #IndigenousRights #Brazil #Lula #Bolsonaro #FlavioBolsonaro #Amazon #Deforestation #LandDemarcation #APIB #CIMI #NandesyRoberta #IndigenousViolence