BRASILIA — The Amazon region’s most recognized Indigenous leader, Raoni Metuktire, announced Wednesday his continued endorsement of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for the upcoming October election, even while opposing government-backed infrastructure initiatives that he and other Indigenous communities find troubling.
Metuktire’s declaration of loyalty follows his prominent appearance alongside Brazil’s leftist leader in January 2023, when he accompanied Lula as he entered the presidential palace to begin his third non-consecutive presidency.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday at the Free Land encampment — Brazil’s most significant Indigenous gathering — Raoni expressed his continued appreciation for the president’s efforts. “I like his work and am thinking about meeting him so we can address demarcation of Indigenous territories,” he stated. The demonstration has assembled approximately 7,000 Indigenous individuals representing 200 different groups, who have established camp in Brasilia for one week to advocate for their concerns.
Indigenous representatives are working to influence Lula, who has championed Indigenous rights and environmental protection throughout Latin America’s biggest country, while simultaneously advancing infrastructure developments that seem to contradict these principles.
Among these controversial initiatives is the Ferrograo railway development, designed to carry agricultural products like corn and soybeans across approximately 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) through Amazon rainforest territory. Indigenous communities have maintained long-standing opposition to this project.
Brazilian officials anticipate advancing the railway construction after the Supreme Court determines whether modifying national park boundaries for construction is legal and after congressional oversight committees give their approval.
Court proceedings were scheduled to continue Wednesday, prompting Indigenous protesters from the encampment, including Raoni, to demonstrate at the courthouse during afternoon hours.
Regarding the railway project, the Indigenous leader warned it could result in “great harm.”
