The Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture of the Lula (PT) government said that the attack on a settlement in Tremembé (SP) was motivated by a land dispute.
He was present at the wake of Valdir do Nascimento and Gleison Barbosa, who died in the action. Among the injured, one remains in serious condition.
“[Os atiradores] wanted to subtract a lot, they [os assentados] they went to defend the lot. This happened at five in the afternoon. At eight o’clock at night, this group of vandals arrived and shot, killing two of the settlers”, said Teixeira in an interview in Tremembé.
MST coordinator, Gilmar Mauro said that the region that was the target of the attack is an area with many settlements close to urban areas.
“Therefore, they became the reason for the rage of local real estate capital. First, invading areas of forest reserves and then lots within settlements with the aim of transforming these into areas for condominiums, for real estate speculation,” he said.
The statements made by the minister and the MST leader differ from the statement made by the Taubaté Civil Police delegate, who said on Saturday (11) that the confrontation was motivated by a disagreement over the negotiation of land within the settlement area.
“The group’s intention [que atacou] It wasn’t taking office. It was a charge in the sense that [alguma] person was not accepting the negotiation. It was a lack of intelligence that was completely out of control for internal reasons within the organization of the settlement”, said delegate Marcos Ricardo Parra.
To (11) a man known as “Nero do Piseiro”, suspected of having led the attack. He was recognized by witnesses who saw the criminals arriving at the scene in cars and motorcycles and moments later they shot.
Investigations continue to identify others involved in the action, which will also be investigated by the Federal Police after determination by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
The wake for the two victims was also attended by the Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macaé Evaristo.
“We know that here in São Paulo we need to pay very special attention, because our movements are under the line of fire and shooting. Our people cannot perish due to the executioners, who are those few who think they own all the riches of our country”, said the minister.
In addition to one member of the MST who is hospitalized in serious condition, four others of the injured underwent surgery and are not at risk of death. One of those taken to hospital was discharged on Saturday
With information from Agência Brasil
