The Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA) sent to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) a request for an injunction to prevent invasions of rural properties across the country. The petition refers to “threats to promote multiple invasions of rural properties in the country, called ‘April of Struggles’ or ‘Red April'”, announced by the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST). The dispute between social movements and farmers that is behind this petition has potential to drag the government into an endless moderation effort, harming its popularity and political support.
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Petition
The agribusiness entity that brings together federations of farmers and ranchers from all over Brazil wants the Supreme Court to order the MST, the National Fight Front (FNL) and other organized groups to immediately suspend any policy or strategy to promote land invasions in national territory.
Red April
The request was made one day after the MST announced mobilizations across the country to support the agrarian reform. The actions known as part of the “Red April” movement, which recalls the Eldorado dos Carajás massacre, in which 19 rural workers were murdered in 1996.
Other Invasions
In March, the MST and other groups carried out land invasions across the country. In Bahia, several properties were occupied. In Mato Grosso there were also actions.
MST Denies Red April
According to the MST, there is no plans for invasions. The red April will have only political mobilizations, such as marches, acts and assemblies in front of public bodies. There are also plans for a series of meetings with members of the federal government to address political and budgetary “demands”.
Invasion of Incra
Amid this April’s campaign, a group of around 1,500 landless workers entered the headquarters of National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra), in the center of Maceió, Alagoas, on Monday (10/04). Protesters demand the dismissal of the agency’s local superintendent, César Lira. He is the cousin of Deputies Chamber President Arthur Lira (PP).
Altogether, seven organizations fighting for land participated in the occupation, including the MST, the National Fight Front and the Pastoral Land Commission.
Relation with the Government
MST leaders actively participated in Lula’s election, and they were almost daily at the transition headquarters and influenced the choice of Agrarian Development Minister Paulo Teixeira. This indicates that the MST has a strong influence in this government.
Our Analysis:
The close ties between the government and the MST create challenges for Lula’s administration. A great part of the Brazilian society fears or is opposed to the MST and similar movements, which is the case of the agribusiness. At the same time, the diverse alliances of the government’s base, made during the elections and in the process to obtain a majority in Congress, led to alliances with strategic individuals that are opposed to the MST, like Arthur Lira’s cousin. If these movements do not see their demands progressing, they could take actions that can potentially harm the government’s popularity and lead to an increase in the number of land invasions; the blockade of roads and more. Due to the rearmament movement, which took place in the country during the past four years, the risk of extremely violent episodes is high. This scenario will force the government to look for balance between demands from these conflicting groups in order to do maintain social order in rural areas and to preserve its political alliances.
