In the early twentieth century, Brazil decided to expand its agricultural frontiers, strengthening its position as a dependent country by exporting raw materials. It was then necessary to reach interior areas, opening the roads to livestock and agriculture. There stepped in the Marechal Rondon, who dreamed of a peaceful coexistence between autochthons and whites, “Rather die, kill never.” But this legacy of humanity was lost in time. “Pacified,” called to “civilization” by getting into the rhythm of white society, the Indigenous People lost their identity, their roots, their culture. Others, unwilling, were housed in reserves as if they were exotic animals, saw their land diminished and became “protected” by the state. The “pacified” territory knew land titles, owners, fences. And for the true owners of the territory, remained only nostalgia of a time when they could live in their own way.

Now, in the newest Brazilian dependent development cycle, started under the Lula government, is exactly that same agricultural frontier that is seeking to expand again, and again at the expense of Indigenous Peoples and landless peasants. And so, when we talk about agriculture it is not the one that produces food for Brazilians’ tables, but for export, the one that in business language won the pompous name of agribusiness. This deal, the agro-business, represents over 22% of total wealth produced in the country, which is no a small thing. Only China has imported more than 380 million dollars in agricultural products, reaching at this the level of the United States.

According to information from the Federal Government (2011 data), the most outstanding products leaving the country are meats (U.S. $ 1.14 billion), forest products (U.S. $ 702 million), soybean complex -beans, meal and oil- ($ 685 million), coffee ($ 605 million) and sugar-alcohol product (U.S. $ 372 million). Note that the grains (which in general are used for animal feed) and wood represent most of the export, two monoculture legitimate representatives that badly destroy the soil.

Government’s plans point to a successive growth of grain production, mainly soybeans that is already increasing the acreage by 2.3% per year. It is no coincidence, then, that the Mato Grosso do Sul is the main focus of land dispute and violence against Indigenous People. It is precisely this Midwest region that is responsible for 45% of soybean production. And it is also where a large portion of the Indigenous People is waiting for the demarcation of their lands.

From the year 2003, another frontier began to expand the planting of soybeans, currently becoming another area of ​​violent disputes: it is the savannah region of the north-eastern part of the Amazon. It is also not without reason that there the Government is carrying out gigantic works such as hydroelectric Amazon and transposition of the São Francisco River. All this is to meet the demand of these plantations. And it’s always good to note: it is not for nourishing the people, but for export products that go out of the country.

Were such dazzling projects not enough to benefit agribusiness, the Government also provides, through the Harvest Plan, credits with below-market interests; i.e., the richest pay less for loans, while small producers of the food that goes to the population’s table, bemoan high interest rates and lack of support. Also underway is the Sugarcane Sector Strategic Plan, which aims to extend the area of ​​sugar cane for ethanol production. Again, it is not food that is produced!

The logic is always the same: to ensure profitability for a few landowners, strengthen the agro-export system, support the action of predatory multinationals, and follow the path of economic dependence, since agricultural products with low added value make the economy vulnerable. But it seems this doesn’t matter: what matters is investing continually in major producers to maintain the balance in surplus, even if it costs sovereignty, environmental destruction, and death to those who dare to “disturb” the system.

Thus, in the same week that autochthons were murdered in Mato Grosso do Sul, the Government announced a package of over 136 billion dollars for the agribusiness sector. A complete surrender.

The demarcation of Indigenous lands in Mato Grosso do Sul, or in any other state of the country, is not out of the context of this development that strengthens agribusiness. Farmers want more and more land and are not willing to allow people they consider “useless” to live a culture of environmental balance and not in tune with a capitalist development rhythm. For those who only see the numbers of the New York Stock Exchange, the Indigenous Population is obstacle on the way that needs to be taken out at any cost. So gunmen are hired and bullets sent. And a deaf ear is turned to the rising cry.

Aided by the commercial media, dominated by the elite who truly rules the country, these rural entrepreneurs get even to penetrate into the heads of the people, fertilizing a racist, bigoted and violent speech. Simple people, workers, persons who should be sympathetic to the Indigenous in their struggle for the right to live on their land, end up reproducing the mantra daily broadcasted on television: that autochthons are bums, they do not want to work; they do not need land and they will in any case sell it; they just want exploit the timber alone; and so on. They “bite” the lie incessantly proposed and become complicit in a massacre of more native population, the true owner of the land.

Not only that, but the Federal Government bowing to the interests of the ruling class, uses brute force to attack legitimate demonstrations of Indigenous People and of those supporting their cause.

The conflicts that are breaking out on the roads of Mato Grosso do Sul, in the Amazon, and up to now in the Morro dos Cavalos, are nothing more than a class struggle, typical of capitalism. On the one hand, landowners defending their interests, on the other the exploited, looking for a dignified life. In the midst of it all a nation, alienated by constant disinformation produced by commercial Medias that turn into enemies the system’s victims.

The way out of this imbroglio is the struggle itself. Nothing will be granted by a Government that had already kneeled down to agribusiness. Now the challenge is to unveil the conflict, uncover widely the causes, open eyes dulled by the media. That, we know, is something quite hard. But it’s not up to preventing us to move. On the contrary: at a time our Indigenous brothers face the bullets and death, they deserve concrete and effective support. The best would be whether good people go out into the streets in solidarity with the Indigenous struggle. In the meantime, we are bound to the work of ants, carrying alternative information so that minds can open to understand the Indigenous rights.

It is not possible that unions and social movements do not rise in support! It is not possible that the Brazilian people are not to be moved by the drama of a people who lost everything that was theirs, and who now live confined in reserves! What have they done to be prisoners of the state and society? What crime did they commit besides being already there, creating their families, when the invaders arrived? Why do they need to pay because they are and want to continue living their culture?

What would you do if someone comes into your house and snatches you away under the pretext that progress ought necessary to pass through there –a progress not for all, but just for a few?  Why should the agribusiness right have to be greater than that of an entire community?

These are questions none wants listen to, but that cannot be kept silent.

http://www.brasil.gov.br/sobre/economia/setores-da-economia/agronegocio