Army to handle land disputes between indigenous people and landowners
Army troops launched today (Sep. 1) Operation Dourados to handle land disputes between indigenous people and landowners on Brazil-Paraguay border, in Mato Grosso do Sul. 
Army troops launched today (Sep. 1) Operation Dourados to handle land disputes between indigenous people and landowners on Brazil-Paraguay border, in Mato Grosso do Sul. Initially the operation will take place in four Brazilian towns: Antônio João, Aral Moreira, Bela Vista and Ponta Porã, three days after the death of the indigenous man, Simião Vilhalva, in Antônio João.
Responding to governor Reinaldo Azambuja's request, President Dilma Rousseff authorized the Ministry of Defense to plan actions and take measures to enforce law and impose order within the next 30 days at these locations.
The military operation will rely on the army, and if necessary, navy and air force troops may help. In a document submitted to the president, Azambuja pointed out that the current contingent of the Military Police and the National Security Force became insufficient due to the intensification of the conflict. The governor warned that the dispute in the region between indigenous groups and landowners can provoke a "large-scale" conflict.
The dispute was intensified on Saturday (Aug. 29) in the municipality of Antônio João, which is 402 kilometers (km) away from the state capital, Campo Grande. According to state government, nine farms were occupied by indigenous groups, causing a reaction to landowners.
Translated by Amarílis Anchieta
Fonte: Army to handle land disputes between indigenous people and landowners
