São Paulo, Brazil (EFE) – Brazil recorded 2,185 incidents of rural violence in 2024, the second-highest figure since 1985, even as murders linked to land conflicts fell significantly, according to a report released Wednesday by the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT).
The CPT, an entity tied to the Brazilian Catholic Church, reported that while total rural conflicts decreased by just 2.9% from a historic high of 2,250 in 2023, violence in the countryside remains entrenched, particularly in disputes over land and water.
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Land conflicts rose to 1,768 cases, the highest level in a decade. These confrontations included threats, forced evictions, destruction of homes, arms trafficking, and illegal property appropriation. In parallel, exposure to pesticides also intensified, affecting over 17,000 families.
The report also highlighted a growing trend in conflicts over water resources, which jumped 16% from 2023, marking the highest tally in five years.
Rise of Rural Militias
One of the most alarming findings in the report was the emergence of armed militias formed by large landowners to suppress rural communities and land occupations. The CPT cited the “Invasão Zero” (Zero Invasion) movement in Bahia state as a key example.
“Invasão Zero” is reportedly composed of powerful rural elites who not only engage in violent evictions but also seek political influence by sponsoring legislation aimed at criminalizing land rights activism.
The group has been linked to the 2024 murder of Indigenous leader Maria Fátima Muniz de Andrade, known as Nega Pataxó. According to the CPT, the killing was allegedly carried out by a landowner with police involvement.
Murders Decline, but Indigenous People Still Targeted
Despite the disturbing trends in land and water conflicts, the number of murders associated with rural violence dropped sharply from 31 in 2023 to 13 in 2024. The CPT noted that this decline coincides with the second year of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s progressive administration.
Nonetheless, Indigenous populations remain disproportionately affected. “They continue to be the primary victims of rural violence in Brazil,” the CPT emphasized.
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