Guaíra, Brazil — Tension escalates in the Tekoha Guasu Guavira Indigenous Land as the Avá-Guarani community in Paraná state suffers from repeated violent aggressions. Earlier this week, a harrowing incident left two Indigenous individuals severely injured, intensifying the ongoing conflict over land rights in the region.
According to community members, a truck, accompanied by four tractors equipped with poison, encroached onto the Indigenous territory around 10 a.m. on Thursday. Reports indicate that these actions were influenced by a large-scale farmer demanding the removal of the Indigenous community from the land. During this assault, two residents were hurt—one was tragically run over by the truck, while the other was physically assaulted with sticks by individuals allegedly employed by the farm.
The local Indigenous leadership decried the severity of the assault. Nazany Martins, a prominent figure in the community, revealed the aggressive nature of the attacks, mentioning that the attackers not only targeted people but also killed several community-owned dogs. This recent violence is part of a continuing series of attacks that not only infringe on their physical safety but also their sovereign rights to the land.
The Guarani Yvyrupa Commission (CGY) reports that conflict in the area has been brewing over the demarcation of the land, which, despite being recognized by the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI) in 2018, has not seen official demarcation yet. This has led to frequent clashes between the Indigenous community and local agribusinesses resisting the federal proceedings.
In response to escalating violence, including a scary episode on Sunday where shots were fired at the Y’hovy village from a neighboring farm, the CGY has implored federal authorities to step in. They call for a robust response that goes beyond immediate intervention and pushes for a permanent solution that ensures the safety and sovereignty of the Indigenous populations involved.
Federal forces, including the National Public Security Force and the Federal Police, have been deployed to the area to mediate and attempt to quell the rising tensions. They engage in patrols and collaborate closely with the Paraná Civil Police to restore order and peace to the beleaguered community.
Historically, the region has seen harsh confrontations. Since July, when the Avá-Guarani began to reclaim their ancestral lands spanning over 24,000 hectares, incidents of violence have sharply increased. Attacks have become more frequent and severe, with another incident in August leaving six community members severely injured, including threats of further violence with disturbing severity by the assailants.
The plight of the Avá-Guarani reflects a larger national struggle over indigenous land rights in Brazil, which involves balancing the rights of native populations with the interests of agricultural businesses. This ongoing conflict underscores the complexity and necessity of federal involvement to mediate these disputes fairly and protect indigenous communities against egregious human rights abuses.
As the situation remains volatile, the eyes of the nation and human rights organizations remain fixed on Guaíra. The federal government’s next steps are crucial in determining the future of the Avá-Guarani people and their ancestral lands, signaling Brazil’s commitment to protecting its Indigenous populations.