Cenarium Magazine – Ed. 55 - January/2025

COP FOR WHOM?

Amazonian leaders, including Alessandra Munduruku, demand decision-making power at COP30 in Belém (PA) and warn about Governor Helder Barbalho’s measures, fearing that solutions to the climate crisis may depend on political and economic interests

www.revistacenarium.com.br/en/ | January 2025

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Paula Litaiff – MTb 793/AM paulalitaiff@revistacenarium.com.br

www.paulalitaiff.com

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Adrisa de Góes

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Orson Oliveira

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Adrisa de Góes (1st Shift)

John Britto (2nd Shift)

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Bianca Diniz

Digital/Print Content Manager

Márcia Guimarães

Graphic Design and Layout | Digital/Print Magazine

Hugo Moura

Reporting Team – Online/Digital/TV/Print

Adrisa de Góes

Ana Cláudia Leocádio

Ana Pastana

Fabyo Cruz

Ian Vitor Freitas

Jadson Lima

Marcela Leiros

Paula Litaiff

Cameraman/Photography Editor/Image Editor

Luiz André

Arthur Hayden

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Luís Paulo Dutra (2nd Shift)

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Jesua Maia (Print/Digital Version)

Translation from Portuguese

Gustô Alves

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Inory Kanamari – Indigenous Peoples

Iraildes Caldas – Gender Issues

Lucas Ferrante – Biological Sciences

Luciana Santos – Quilombola Communities

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Editorial

Narratives in Crisis

Pará is experiencing a contradiction of narratives that highlights the exclusion of traditional peoples from participating in one of the biggest environmental events the State will host this November—the Conference of the Parties, COP30. This event, held by signatory countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is creating a true crisis of Brazil’s image and identity on the global stage.

COP is the moment when countries discuss measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and seek solutions to environmental dilemmas. In theory, the conference’s decisions should involve those on the front lines of ecosystem protection. The Pará government, under Helder Barbalho, has promoted the idea that its policies are exemplary in this field. The reality, however, tells a different story.

In recent weeks, the occupation of the headquarters of the Pará State Secretariat of Education (Seduc-PA) in Belém by leaders from 22 ethnic groups, protesting against State Law 10.820/2024—which compromises education for Indigenous and Quilombola communities—demonstrates that the Pará government fails to respect its traditional peoples even on fundamental issues. The impasse is currently under review by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) following a legal challenge by the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib).

Six months before the onset of the education crisis in Pará, Indigenous, extractivist, and quilombola leaders began denouncing the exclusion of forest-dwelling populations from the pre-debates of the international climate conference, while large corporations—including mining companies—and partisan politicians were privileged in shaping the event’s guidelines. This realization leads us to a crucial question: "Whose interests will COP30 serve?"

It is crucial to pay attention to who will define the directives and resolutions of the world’s largest environmental event and who will truly profit from it. Ensuring that traditional peoples have their rightful space in negotiations and a real say in decision-making is imperative. With this warning, this edition of CENARIUM invites readers to reflect on the hidden interests of those seeking to negotiate the future of the climate because, as Ailton Krenak (2022) wisely said, “The future is not for sale”—or at least, it shouldn’t be.

Paula Litaiff General Director

What we want from the Amazon COP

The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) is critical for Brazil, the Amazon, and the planet. Scheduled for November this year in Belém (PA), COP30, known as the “COP of the Forests,” holds the symbolic weight of being held in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, which plays a key role in regulating the global climate. This event represents enormous responsibilities and challenges. The future of humanity on this planet depends on the decisions made by world leaders. There is no room for error. But what do traditional peoples, who are on the front lines of preserving the Amazon, expect from COP30? This is the question our cover reportage seeks to address.

In response to CENARIUM's inquiry, Indigenous, Quilombola, riverside and extractivist leaders from states within the Legal Amazon provide answers that can be summed up in one word: respect. For these leaders, the decisions made at COP30 must be grounded in the knowledge of those who live in the Amazon and fight daily to preserve it.

According to data from MapBiomas, Indigenous Territories (ITs) are preservation oasis, having lost only 1% of their native vegetation between 1985 and 2023. In privately owned areas, deforestation during the same period reached 28%. MapBiomas also identified that deforestation in Remnants Quilombola Communities (CRQs) represented only 0.05% of the total deforested area in 2022, another example of effective preservation.

Regarding the Amazon’s impact on the planet’s climate, a study published in the scientific journal Nature in December 2024 reveals that the “breathing” of the rainforest influences the generation of atmospheric particles. These particles travel vast distances, contribute to cloud formation, and affect rainfall levels in different regions. Additionally, these particles influence the heat the Earth receives and reflects back into space, impacting global climate patterns.

Given that the Amazon is crucial for the climate and that traditional peoples are the primary stewards of its preservation, it is only fair to ensure these communities are respected in the decisions made at COP30.

Well, if the Amazon is crucial for the planet’s climate and those who preserve it the most are the traditional peoples who inhabit it and hold millennia-old knowledge about the forest, it is only fair to respect them—ensuring that their voices are heard and that they have decision-making power at COP30.

Márcia Guimarães Content Manager

�� Connection with the Amazon

Even though I live far from the Amazon, being from Manaus and residing in São Paulo, I keep my connection with my homeland alive. CENARIUM MAGAZINE is a great option to stay updated on the news, whether through social media or monthly editions. It offers original and in-depth content that I value for bringing me closer to the Amazonian reality.

Sasha

Barbosa São Paulo - SP

�� Everyone’s responsibility

It is very important to address the topic of eco-anxiety. Are we prepared for what’s to come? No! The environment (where we humans live) also impacts our mental health. It doesn’t matter if you live in a metropolis or are a riverside dweller. Your life will change one way or another because we are part of a whole, and we all share responsibility for climate change. The more we consume, the more we destroy.

Naradja Varela Manaus – AM

�� The urgency to act

Eco-anxiety is a reflection of love for the planet and the urgency to act. May it inspire us to seek solutions and care for our future with more responsibility and hope. Congratulations to CENARIUM for bringing up this topic.

Rebeca Andrade Manaus - AM

�� A reliable source

CENARIUM MAGAZINE has been a reliable source of information for me about the reality of our Amazon region. I really liked the October cover story about the risks that large enterprises pose to isolated Indigenous peoples. The dilemma between traditional populations and the promises of economic development is always a delicate issue.

Jorge Luís Figueira Manaus – AM

Credit: Composition of Paulo Dutra Cenarium

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

“We are the main barriers to climate change”

Ronaldo Amanayé,

Indigenous

leader from Pará.

“The Amazon is ours. We are the ones who should decide!”

Alessandra Munduruku, Indigenous leader.

“We need to occupy the streets and the negotiation tables”

Ângela Mendes, socio-environmental activist and daughter of Chico Mendes.

“Those who fund COP also destroy”

Antonia Cariongo, leader of the Cariongo quilombo in Maranhão.

“The Parallel COP will be essential if we continue to be silenced”

Vanuza Cardoso, quilombola leader.

“We want a COP made by us”

People of the forest seek protagonism at COP30 in November in Belém. In the heart of the Amazon, Indigenous peoples, riverside communities and quilombolas fear decisions will be made solely by large corporations and wealthy countries

Fabyo Cruz – From Cenarium

BELÉM (PA) – "The agribusiness sector, mining companies, and fossil fuel industries dominate the debates at COPs. My concern is that this logic will be repeated in Belém, once again sidelining forest peoples from decisions that directly impact their territories." This warning comes from socio-environmental activist Ângela Mendes, from the state of Acre, and daughter of Chico Mendes, regarding the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30), scheduled for November this year in Belém, the capital of Pará. Although Brazilian politicians have dubbed the event the "Forest COP" or the "COP of COPs," referencing the symbolic importance of hosting the conference in the Amazon; Indigenous, quilombolas and riverside leaders have voiced concerns: if decisions remain in the hands of those with large economic interests, COP30 will be

hollow and limited to rhetoric, they argue. "We want a voice and real decision-making power," says Alessandra Munduruku, an Indigenous leader from Pará.

The COP, or Conference of the Parties, is the main decision-making forum of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), bringing together delegates from signatory countries annually to discuss and implement actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This year, for the first time, Brazil will host the conference, drawing international attention to the country that is home to the majority of the Amazon rainforest and providing a significant platform for Amazonian peoples to participate in political, environmental, and social decision-making. While the COP is not exclusively about the Amazon, the region is a focal point of discussion. As the largest tropical rain-

forest in the world, it plays a critical role in regulating the planet's climate, and its traditional inhabitants are among the primary agents of its preservation.

"We do not want to be mere spectators at an event that directly impacts our lives and territories," asserts Alessandra Munduruku, an Indigenous leader active in Pará, echoing the sentiment of other leaders consulted by CENARIUM MAGAZINE. For them, participating in decisions means not only having their demands heard but also seeing their proposals integrated into global climate change policies. According to representatives of traditional peoples interviewed for this report, the main goal is for the conference in Belém to foster the development of a just and inclusive energy transition that respects the rights of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, while aiming to eliminate the use of fossil

“We want a future for this planet, one built on solidarity”

Ângela Mendes, socioenvironmental activist and daughter of Chico Mendes, from Acre. fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

In 2023, during COP28, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates—a major global oil producer—agreements were reached to reduce fossil fuel consumption. However, the text did not mention the complete elimination or even a progressive reduction of these fuels (oil, coal, and gas), as desired by some countries and a significant portion of civil society participating in the event.

FROM BAKU TO BELÉM

Last year, discussions on mitigating climate change at COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, failed to progress as expected. The final agreement made no mention of an energy transition, defying the expectations raised after COP28 in 2023, which had signaled a reduction in fossil fuel exploitation. The refusal of countries whose economies rely on fossil fuels was decisive in blocking any reference to the sector, resulting in a setback in the negotiations. This frustrated hopes for a stronger commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Regarding climate financing, the conference agreed that wealthy nations would allocate $300 billion annually to support developing countries in combating and adapting to the climate crisis. While this amount exceeded the initial proposal of $250 billion, it fell short of the expectations of developing nations, which had demanded at least $1.3 trillion per year.

Environmentalists argued that the agreed amount barely accounts for inflation on the financing target set in 2015, leaving significant issues unresolved for COP30 in Belém. The city itself faces its own environmental, social, and structural challenges as it prepares to host the global debates, including issues such as inadequate waste disposal and insufficient infrastructure for the event. To prepare for November, the capital of Pará has turned into a construction site, with several large-scale projects underway, such as the City Park, one of the event's main venues, and the Porto de Futuro II, a space that will host economic and cultural activities related to tourism, leisure, gastronomy, and bioeconomy, among others.

WHAT DO THE FOREST PEOPLES THINK?

"I clearly realized that it is not us, the forest peoples, who make the decisions. The decisions are made by large companies,

multinationals, and countries with specific economic interests", said Alessandra Munduruku, an Indigenous activist in Pará and leader of the Munduruku people. She participated for the second time in an international climate conference, most recently in Baku, Azerbaijan. Alessandra criticized the lack of representation of Indigenous peoples and described the severe restrictions faced by participants in organizing protests. "Any protest had to be communicated 24 hours in advance, detailing the theme and the content of the banners. We felt there was no freedom or democracy."

In Azerbaijan, she encountered a highly controlled environment where protests were only allowed in predefined areas. "The country is very clean and organized, but this cleanliness is superficial. There are no fruits, rivers, or birds. Everything is contaminated, and the local culture seems extinct," she observed. Alessandra fears that similar authoritarian practices may emerge in Brazil during COP30, highlighting the

Letícia Moraes, Vice President of the National Council of Extractive Populations (CNS)

urgency of preserving Amazonian sovereignty and territories. "The Amazon is ours. We are the ones who should decide!" she emphasized.

Faced with the possibility of their demands being excluded, traditional populations are mobilizing to organize parallel events, such as the "People's COP," with Alessandra among the organizers. "It will be a meeting for those who are never invited to the official debates but who suffer directly from the impacts of the decisions made at COP. We will go to the grassroots and listen to the people before November," she explained.

ÂNGELA MENDES: ‘IT’S TIME TO PROPOSE STRUCTURAL CHANGES’

For Ângela Mendes, socio-environmental activist and daughter of Chico Mendes, an icon in the fight to preserve the forest,

COP30 represents more than just a climate event: it is a strategic platform for resistance and proposing alternatives. “This is a crucial moment to showcase the reality of the Amazon to the world and strengthen social movements,” she said.

She believes that the success of COP30 will depend on the ability to build global alliances and propose concrete strategies to tackle environmental and social crises. “The world already knows the problems of the Amazon. Now we need to focus on how to create collective and sustainable solutions. It’s time to propose structural changes, strengthen democratic processes, and ensure that historically excluded peoples have a voice and decision-making power,” the activist concluded.

For Ângela, the strength of social movements will be essential to transform COP30 into a space for popular leadership. She

mentions that coalitions like the “People’s COP” are already organizing to promote parallel actions that amplify the voices of forest peoples and communities affected by the climate crisis. “We want a future for this planet, one built on solidarity. We need to occupy the streets and the negotiation tables, demanding climate and social justice. Only through resistance and collective action can we confront the challenges imposed by powerful economic interests,” the activist emphasized.

Although hosting COP in the heart of the world’s largest tropical forest holds significant symbolic weight, Ângela Mendes criticizes the contradiction between the official discourse and the practices adopted by the Pará State government. “It’s paradoxical for the State to host an event of such magnitude while reinforcing policies that exacerbate violence against traditional pop-

Construction of Parque da Cidade, one of the main venues for COP30 in Belém

Crisis in Education, Exclusion and Lack of Dialogue

In Pará, the deadlock over the repeal of Law No. 10,820/2024—which modified the Modular Education System (Some), created in the 1980s to provide education to remote communities such as riverside, quilombola, and indigenous populations—highlights the exclusionary treatment by the state governor, Helder Barbalho, towards indigenous and other traditional peoples. It also makes clear the lack of dialogue, according to protesters opposing the changes. The new law has sparked outrage for eliminating the guarantee of in-person and high-quality classes from the system, among other measures. In protest, indigenous people have occupied an area of the State Secretariat of Education (Seduc-PA) headquarters in the Icoaraci district of Belém since

January 14, joining the dissatisfaction of teachers who have been protesting since November 2024 and went on strike on January 23 of this year.

Following pressure from protesters and public opinion, on January 27, the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, arrived at Seduc to speak with the demonstrators. On January 28, Barbalho agreed to meet with representatives of the indigenous movement at the government headquarters, but the meeting ended without an agreement due to the governor’s refusal to repeal the law. The protesters are also demanding the resignation of the current Secretary of Education, Rossieli Soares. The state has been attempting to have the Seduc building vacated through legal action,

arguing that the protest is disrupting the department’s operations.

Without an agreement, part of the indigenous delegation left the meeting warning that the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled for November this year in the Pará capital, might not take place. Additionally, they began demanding the presence of the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The meeting was held behind closed doors. The delegation of 40 indigenous people, received by the Tactical Force of the State Military Police, met with Barbalho and other authorities, including Minister Sonia Guajajara. While the meeting took place inside the Government Palace, indigenous communicator Cristian Arapiun, from the Tapa-

Credit: Marx Vasconcelos

Cenarium

Indigenous leaders have occupied the Seduc-PA headquarters since January 14, without reaching an agreement with Governor Helder Barbalho on the repeal of Law No. 10,820/2024

jós and Arapiuns Indigenous Council (Cita), who attended some moments of the discussion, relayed updates to other indigenous people waiting outside.

“It started with the question, ‘Why don’t you want to repeal the law?’ He [Helder Barbalho] didn’t even come close to answering. We presented what was happening to us at Seduc, all those police cases, and he said he hadn’t seen any videos showing police action inside Seduc. His statements show that he doesn’t even want to talk about repealing the law. His focus is on indigenous education. He has that rehearsed speech… He is a cold, calculating man, but he is human too—he lost his composure for a moment. We made it very clear to him: if the law is not repealed, there will be no COP. Airports will be blocked, railways will stop functioning, and we will bring Brazil to a halt,” said Cristian. According to the young indigenous leader, cell phones were confiscated, and some people were even barred from entering the meeting room.

INDIGENOUS GROUPS AND PARÁ GOVERNMENT DISAGREE

Before the meeting at the government headquarters, Helder Barbalho stated on January 24 that he had met with a commission of indigenous representatives from various ethno-regions to discuss and engage in dialogue regarding education for the state’s indigenous peoples. That

same day, indigenous leader Alessandra Munduruku from the Médio Tapajós region and chief Dadá Borari denied the governor’s statement, asserting that they had not yet been heard. According to them, the group that met with the politician does not represent the leadership involved in the Seduc occupation.

“For almost four hours, we listened to the indigenous peoples and addressed all the demands they raised, ensuring that the modular system will include in-person classes—there’s no doubt about that. We are guaranteeing a salary cap for all professionals working in indigenous education. We are ensuring indigenous legislation for education in the State of Pará,” declared Barbalho.

CENARIUM requested information from the Government of Pará regarding the meetings on January 24 and 28. By the time this edition was finalized, the government had only responded to the request regarding the January 24 meeting, sending a link via email to a press release from its communication office titled “Governor and Vice Governor Participate in Meeting to Develop the State Policy for Indigenous School Education,” published by Agência Pará—the very meeting contested by the Seduc occupation protesters.

ABOUT THE LAW

Enacted at the end of last year, Law No. 10,820/2024 eliminates the Indige-

nous Modular Education System (Somei), which was part of the Modular Education System (Some). CENARIUM was the first media outlet to report, after receiving an anonymous tip in November of last year, that Some was being gradually replaced by a "media center" that broadcasts classes via satellite.

One of the most controversial aspects of the law is the transfer of Some’s management to Seduc, subjecting it to working conditions defined by administrative rulings. Among the most contested changes is the creation of complexity levels that determine the value of bonuses received by teachers.

“Previously, Some educators received a fixed bonus of R$ 8,000, but now the amounts vary according to the locality's classification: level 1 receives R$ 1,000; level 2, R$ 3,000; level 3, R$ 5,000; and level 4, R$ 7,000. They present it as if all teachers will receive R$ 7,000,” said an educator interviewed for the report, who requested anonymity.

The deterioration of working conditions also directly affects indigenous education. In Santarém, western Pará, for example, only two out of the 46 teachers working in Somei are tenured. The rest, hired on a temporary basis, face even greater difficulties with the reduction of bonuses.

The Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, and Governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho

ulations and weaken fundamental sectors through harmful administrative reforms,” she argued.

The situation in Pará reflects broader issues faced throughout the Amazon. In Acre, Ângela’s home state, recent projects in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, such as roads and bridges, have accelerated deforestation and facilitated predatory exploitation. “These interventions are carried out without transparency, with questionable licensing processes and they end up increasing the flow of cattle and timber. It’s a management model that destroys what should be preserved,” she denounced.

ANTONIA CARIONGO: ‘THOSE WHO FUND COP ALSO DESTROY.’

Antonia Cariongo, a leader of the Cariongo quilombo in Maranhão, echoed the criticisms. Since COP16 in 2019, she has followed Brazil’s international commitments but laments the lack of concrete actions. “The only initiative that has reached us is the ‘Floresta Mais’ project, which is still in its early stages. Meanwhile, we face landowners who try to destroy our territory. We resist on the front lines, stopping machines from tearing down the forest,” she recounted.

She views political engagement as essential to the quilombola struggle. “Without

“It’s time to stop attending COPs just to protest. We need to bring clear, wellarticulated proposals for climate solutions”

Neidinha Suruí, co-founder of the Kanindé Found, in Rondônia.

representation in power, we cannot move forward. The demarcation and titling of territories are urgent to protect forests, springs and rivers,” she stated. However, she remains skeptical about whether their issues will be included at COP30. “Those who fund COP also destroy. We don’t know if there will be room for our demands. That’s why initiatives like the ‘People’s COP’ are crucial,” she emphasized. Among her demands are punitive policies against agribusiness and stricter controls on deforestation licenses.

Antonia also highlighted the impacts of the climate crisis on her community. “Last Christmas, I prayed for rain. The igarapé is dry and the rains that used to come in December only arrived in January. We, from traditional communities, feel this firsthand.”

Without resources to bring her community to Belém during COP30, Antonia is working to gather support. “I want my people to be there, fighting alongside other territories,” she said. Determined, she concluded: “Even if the powerful are inside, we will make noise at the ‘People’s

COP,’ showing that we resist. We are the true guardians of nature.”

*a small river or stream in the Amazon

LETÍCIA MORAES: ‘WE ARE CONSIDERING STRATEGIC PROTESTS’

Letícia Moraes, vice president of the National Council of Extractivist Populations (CNS) and a native of Curralinho, Pará, emphasized the importance of ensuring the participation of forest peoples in climate discussions. “I’ve attended events like the COP before, which was strategic for understanding how these conferences work. The event in Belém is the formality, but the negotiations happen much earlier, and in these preparatory processes, we are excluded,” she said.

According to its website, the CNS, established under the leadership of Chico Mendes in 1985, aims to “mobilize, organize, and represent extractivist communities and organizations in the Brazilian Amazon and across Brazil to articulate, propose, demand, and monitor the implementation of public policies that ensure the economic,

Neidinha Suruí, co-founder of the Kanindé Foundation, in Rondônia

environmental, and cultural sustainability of present and future generations.”

Speaking to CENARIUM, Letícia highlighted the exclusion of traditional communities in crucial decisions, such as during the Bonn Conference in 2024, when the concept of traditional peoples and communities was debated without their participation. “This exclusion is concerning because our territories and ways of life are fundamental to climate balance.”

For COP30, Letícia outlined initiatives aimed at engaging communities. “We’re organizing events like the ‘Forest COPs.’ One of them will take place in Santarém, led by the young Guardians of Well-Being. Additionally, we’re preparing the March of the Forest Peoples, which will bring together 1,000 extractivist leaders carrying lit torches and andiroba oil, symbolizing our stand against fossil fuels,” she revealed.

Letícia also pointed out challenges, such as barriers like the requirement for passports to access official spaces and the need for interpreters. “Many extractivists

cannot meet these requirements, making it impossible for us to participate.”

Nevertheless, mobilization efforts remain strong. “We’re joining forces with organizations like the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Pará (Fepipa) and Malungu, the Coordination of Associations of Remnant Quilombo Communities of Pará. If our presence is denied, we are considering strategic protests, including blocking access to the Belém airport.”

Letícia sees COP30 as a historic opportunity to emphasize the importance of extractivist territories and promote an inclusive vision of the Amazon. “In 2025, the CNS will celebrate 40 years, and we want to reinforce the extractivist legacy, demonstrating that forest peoples are central to global climate decisions.”

RONALDO AMANAYÉ: ‘WE ARE THE MAIN BARRIERS TO CLIMATE CHANGE’

Ronaldo Amanayé, coordinator of the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Pará

“We want a COP that represents us, with our voices, created by us”

Vanuza Cardoso, quilombola leadership at Pará.

(Fepipa) and a prominent leader of the Amanayé people, emphasized that land rights are at the core of Indigenous peoples' demands and must be addressed during the COP30 discussions. Facing constant threats due to his advocacy for the Amanayé Indigenous Reserve, located in Goianésia do Pará, he stated:

“Demarcation, recognition, and protection of Indigenous lands are essential. Today, our lands are invaded by illegal

Porto Futuro 2 construction project in Belém, one of the city's investments ahead of COP30

“The decisions are made by large companies, multinationals, and countries with specific economic interests”

Alessandra Munduruku, indigenous actvist in Pará and leader of the Munduruku people.

miners, loggers, and fishers. We also need public policies that reach our communities, such as sanitation, quality education, and support for local entrepreneurship. Without these, it becomes impossible to ensure the sustainability of our territories.”

Ronaldo highlighted the importance of COP30 as a platform to showcase the contributions of Indigenous lands to global climate stability: “We, Indigenous peoples, are the main barriers to climate change. We experience its direct consequences, such as wildfires, droughts, and unprecedented dry

Dona Lourdes: ‘We Need to Defend Our Biomes Collectively’

Maria de Lourdes de Souza Nascimento, known as Dona Lourdes, a native of Minas Gerais and the general coordinator of the Rede Cerrado, highlighted the importance of civil society occupying strategic spaces during COP30 in Belém to demand greater responsibility from developed countries regarding environmental impacts affecting Brazil. She strongly criticized the dynamics of previous international meetings, where she observed an exclusive focus on financial interests, neglecting environmental preservation and climate justice.

“We cannot allow Brazil to be solely held responsible for being the ‘lungs’ of the world while other countries continue consuming our resources and dumping their problems here. They send us pesticides banned in their territories and then benefit from the food we produce, without

considering the damage done to our soil, water, and people,” she stated.

Dona Lourdes explained that the Rede Cerrado has been working since the Eco-92 to protect Brazil's biomes but stressed the need for a unified approach that includes all biomes and their peoples. “The Cerrado leads the way, but we need to defend our biomes collectively and the populations that ensure their preservation. Without traditional peoples in the field, the biomes will not stand.”

Additionally, the general coordinator emphasized the importance of creating effective participation spaces for civil society organizations both within and outside COP30. “We are organizing through the National Council for Sustainable Rural Development and other networks. We need to deliver our message not only in side events but within decision-making spaces.

If that doesn’t happen, protests will be inevitable.”

Dona Lourdes also shared her disappointment with COP28 in Dubai, where she observed that world leaders and major companies were more concerned with financial interests than environmental solutions. “It was very disheartening. We hoped for discussions on ways to reduce climate impacts and preserve the planet, but what we saw was a fight for economic gains, ignoring the common cause.”

Rede Cerrado, which operates in four regional hubs, advocates for climate debates that recognize traditional peoples and populations as protagonists. “We cannot protect the biomes by expelling those who have always cared for them. We need to integrate environmental demands with social ones, ensuring these communities remain with quality of life,” she concluded.

Vanuza Cardoso: ‘We Want a COP That Represents Us’

Vanuza Cardoso, a spiritual leader from the Quilombola Territory of Abacatal in Ananindeua, Pará, views COP30 as a crucial opportunity for traditional communities to claim their rightful place in climate discussions. For her, the conference must be built with the direct participation of these populations, respecting their histories and demands.

“We want a COP that represents us, with our voices, created by us—not just for others to speak about us, but for us to speak for ourselves. This is a fight for the survival and dignity of the forest peoples,” says Vanuza, who is also an anthropologist and human rights activist.

Among the priorities for Quilombola communities, Vanuza emphasizes land titling as a central issue. “Land titling is a guarantee for future generations, for our permanence and quality of life.

Without land, we have no public policies and no assurance of our very existence,” she explains.

The Quilombola leader also critiques the exclusionary format of previous climate events and warns that COP30 must not repeat these patterns. According to her, it is essential to create mechanisms that allow traditional populations to present their demands directly, without intermediaries.

Vanuza highlights the challenges faced by her community, such as the impact of infrastructure projects in the Quilombola Territory of Abacatal, including the construction of an eco-avenue. “The State followed procedures, conducted studies, and offered compensations, but that is not enough. Mitigations must be effective and respect the 314 years of history of our territory,” she stresses.

In addition to participating in the coordination of the People’s Summit—an event parallel to COP30 aimed at ensuring space for traditional communities—Vanuza underscores the importance of alternative spaces in case these leaders continue to be excluded from the official conference. “The Parallel COP will be fundamental if we remain silenced. We need a space to denounce how decisions made behind closed doors directly impact our lives and territories.”

Finally, Vanuza emphasizes that direct dialogue with the government and corporations is indispensable but must be guided by respect for traditional peoples and their territories. “We are not separate from the land. Just as we care for our bodies, we care for the earth. What is non-negotiable for us are our territories and future generations.”

“It is essential to strengthen regional organizations and create mechanisms for them to be actively represented”

National coordinator of the Amazonian Working Network

(Rede GTA).

seasons. We need to expose the calamity we’re living through and demand action. Additionally, it’s crucial to secure direct funding for our activities. We need resources to fight fires, monitor our lands, and protect our biodiversity.”

The leader also pointed out the challenges Indigenous peoples face in participating in COP events. According to him, the international rules imposed by the UN, which govern the event, make it difficult to

Sila Mesquita, national coordinator of the Amazonian Work Network (Rede GTA)

carry out social demonstrations and limit the visibility of the real demands of the Amazon. “Many companies, like Vale, use the platform for self-promotion, hiding the damage they cause. COP needs to reveal the true reality of the Amazon, not just what companies want the world to see.”

Ronaldo advocates for forest peoples to have direct access to funds, such as those from the Amazon Fund, to ensure environmental preservation and sustain their activities. “If the UN truly wants to fight for human rights and the Amazon, it must listen to those who live here and depend on it. We need a platform to speak about our realities and needs, ensuring that our forests remain alive.”

NEIDINHA SURUÍ: ‘WE NEED TO PRESENT CLEAR PROPOSALS’

Neidinha Suruí, a socio-environmental activist and co-founder of the Kanindé organization in Rondônia, is one of the leading voices advocating for the protection of the Amazon and Indigenous rights. She has a clear vision regarding the importance of COP30, emphasizing the need for more

assertive leadership by Indigenous peoples in discussions about the climate crisis. Born in Plácido de Castro, Acre, in 1959 and raised in Rondônia, Neidinha is the mother of Txai Suruí, a young Indigenous activist and the daughter of Paiter Suruí leader Almir Suruí. Txai gained international recognition after delivering a speech at the opening of COP26.

Neidinha believes that COP30 cannot simply be another venue for protests but must serve as a platform for presenting concrete and viable proposals for preserving biomes. “It’s time to stop attending COPs just to protest. We need to bring clear, well-articulated proposals for climate solutions,” she stated. Together with young Indigenous leaders, Neidinha is organizing a mobilization to highlight specific issues, such as the dramatic drought in Rondônia, where entire villages ran out of water and had to rely on helicopters for supply.

The fight against the Temporal Framework was another topic Neidinha mentioned as crucial for COP discussions. She warned about the global impacts of this legislation: “If we don’t manage to over-

turn the Temporal Framework, environmental problems will worsen on a global scale. This isn’t just an Indigenous issue; it concerns all traditional peoples and, most importantly, the balance of water resources,” she explained. Neidinha also highlighted the importance of a broader, collaborative approach with agribusiness. “Agribusiness should be our ally in this fight because without water and forests, there is no agriculture.”

For Neidinha, COP30 is a unique opportunity to unite the peoples of the Amazon and other biomes, such as the Cerrado, Caatinga and Pantanal in advancing integrated solutions for the environment. She cautioned about the irreversible impacts of environmental destruction, which are not just ecological but also economic and social. “We need to stop thinking only about the present. Environmental destruction will lead to irreversible economic and social consequences. It’s time to advance toward an economy that aligns with environmental preservation,” she said.

In her view, economic sustainability is directly linked to environmental conser-

“If the goal is to protect the Amazon, then you have to protect those who live here. [...] Those who have never set foot here cannot speak for us”

A riverside resident from Xingu and member of the Riverside Council of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Reservoir.

Maria dos Santos, a riverside resident from Xingu and member of the Riverside Council of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Reservoir

Júnior Hekurari Yanomami: ‘Actions in the Amazon Must Avoid Political Interests’

The upcoming 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Belém, scheduled for 2025, places the Amazon at the center of global climate discussions. However, Júnior Hekurari Yanomami, one of the leaders of the Yanomami people and president of Urihi – Yanomami Association in Roraima, stresses that decisions made during the event must focus on practical solutions aimed at protecting the Amazon biome. According to him, policies targeting the Amazon should steer clear of political interests or disputes that divert attention from the urgent climate and environmental challenges.

Hekurari highlighted the importance of involving Indigenous peoples in debates and decision-making. For him, the communities living in the forest play a vital role in its protection. “It is essential to listen to Indigenous peoples, as they have a direct relationship with the forest and possess the knowledge needed to protect it,” he said. He also emphasized that Indigenous participation must be genuine, without turning their cause into a platform for external political interests.

“In my view, as someone who lives in the Amazon and knows the forest intimately, it is crucial that any policy or action related to the region does not harm its ecosystem or become tainted by political interests or manipulation. Decisions need to focus on specific issues, such as the climate emergency and the current challenges facing the Amazon,” he stated.

Despite the importance of Indigenous leadership, Júnior expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding the participation of forest peoples in the event. He mentioned that the Yanomami people are still unclear about who is organizing or inviting Indigenous groups to participate in COP30 in Belém, which complicates their involvement in the conference. “Observing leaders from other countries and past initiatives, I believe we need a different approach—one that truly gives space to the voices of the forest. However, regarding our participation in COP30, we still lack clarity on who is organizing or inviting Indigenous peoples, which hinders our involvement.”

Reflecting on past editions of the Climate Conference, the Yanomami leader expressed frustration with the lack of significant progress on critical issues, such as energy transition and reducing fossil fuel use. “It is necessary to revisit these discussions and highlight the importance of implementing concrete actions that benefit both the global climate and local communities,” he argued. For him, Indigenous communities have yet to see effective changes that promote the preservation of the Amazon.

Júnior underscored the Amazon's global importance, describing it as essential for regulating the planet’s climate. According to him, the forest faces threats such as wildfires, deforestation, and poorly applied technologies that compromise its integrity.

“Without rain, there is no Amazon; without the Amazon, there is no climate balance. Protecting the forest and Indigenous peoples is essential for the survival of all of us,” he warned.

The leader concluded his argument by emphasizing that forest preservation must be a commitment shared by all of society, not just the communities living there. He advocates for an awareness policy that values the Amazon and Indigenous peoples as pillars of a sustainable future.

“It is essential to listen to Indigenous peoples, as they have a direct relationship with the forest and possess the knowledge needed to protect it”

Júnior Hekurari Yanomami, leader of the Yanomami people and president of Urihi – Yanomami Association.

Júnior Hekurari Yanomami, one of the leaders of the Yanomami people and president of Urihi – Yanomami Association

“Without traditional peoples in the field, the biomes will not stand”

Maria de Lourdes de Souza Nascimento,

a.k.a

Dona Lourdes, General Coordinator of the Rede Cerrado.

vation. To illustrate her point, Neidinha used bees as an example. “Bees are essential for pollination and, consequently, for agriculture. This is a clear example of how the economy and the environment are interdependent,” she concluded.

SILA MESQUITA: ‘IT

IS ESSENTIAL TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS’

The leader Sila Mesquita, national coordinator of the Amazonian Working Network (Rede GTA) from Amazonas, emphasized the importance of expanding community participation through the strengthening of regional organizations. According to Sila, in addition to consolidating historical agendas such as the demarcation of Indigenous territories and the elimination of fossil fuels, Rede GTA seeks to integrate community leaders into the planning and discussions of the People’s Summit, a parallel event to COP30, as many of these leaders wish to bring their local perspectives to the global debate. “That’s why it is essential to strengthen regional organizations and create mechanisms for them to be actively represented,” she stated.

Sila explained that participation in the People’s Summit is tied to the membership of legal organizations, such as local networks or associations like Rede GTA. Leaders can apply for membership as long as they agree with the values and objectives outlined in the organization’s Charter of

Principles. Rede GTA has been active for 32 years and has over 310 affiliated organizations.

She also emphasized that including new voices is crucial to strengthening dialogue with the Brazilian government and international institutions. “The People’s Summit is not part of the UN’s official agenda, but it is a strategic space for civil society to influence decisions and propose concrete alternatives. Mobilizing 15,000 people to Belém during COP30 is an ambitious goal, but it is absolutely necessary to ensure that regional and local demands are heard,” she concluded.

ROBERTO BRITO: ‘THE AMAZON IS LIFE FOR THE PLANET’

For Roberto Brito Mendonça, a riverside leader from the Tumbira Community located in the Rio Negro Sustainable Development Reserve in Amazonas, COP30 represents a unique opportunity to “tell our story in our own voice” directly to global leaders and major companies responsible for much of the world’s carbon emissions. “We have this opportunity to demand with our own voice what we want—not just for now, but for our children and grandchildren. The Amazon needs real support for those who live here because the future of the planet depends on it.”

Roberto believes that preserving the forest necessarily involves ensuring better living conditions for local populations. “If we don’t have support, a good quality of life, access to basic needs—especially social needs—the Amazon becomes divided, particularly on issues like deforestation, fires, and river pollution,” he pointed out.

The riverside leader, who worked as a logger until 2011 before deciding to change his path, now works with community-based tourism and criticizes projects for the Amazon that “go through governments and NGOs but never reach the people who can truly make a difference.” “Meanwhile, people keep cutting down trees or polluting rivers because they need to survive. Thank God I had the opportunity to stop logging, and today I work with tourism. For me, the Amazon is life. And just as it is life for us, it is life for the entire planet,” he concluded.

MARIA DOS SANTOS: ‘HERE, LISTENING HAS ALWAYS BEEN DENIED TO US’

Maria dos Santos, a riverside resident from the Xingu River and a member of the Riverside Council of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Reservoir, holds a critical perspective on COP30, particularly regarding the lack of representation of populations directly impacted by megaprojects in the Amazon. For Maria, the conference should serve as an opportunity to ensure that the voices of traditional peoples, like riverside communities, are heard and taken into account.

She points out that, over the years, riverside residents have rarely been invited to speak about the changes affecting their lives, especially regarding the negative impacts of large-scale projects like the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant in Altamira, Pará. “When we see our voices reaching people who have never lived what we’ve lived, people who take our tears and pain to promote themselves, it’s infuriating. Because here, listening has always been denied to us,” Maria states.

The councilwoman also denounces the unfulfilled promises made during the construction of the plant, such as proper compensation and resettlement. “The workers of the Xingu have yet to be compensated, and our waters are no longer the same. The company took what we had and destroyed our dignity,” she laments.

Maria dos Santos emphasizes that protecting the Amazon requires incorporating the perspectives and experiences of those who live in and depend on the forest. “If the goal is to protect the Amazon, then you have to protect those who live here. The forest is the home of the gods, not just of humans. Those who have never set foot here cannot speak for us.”

For her, COP30 should be a crucial moment to give visibility to local demands—a chance to shift the narrative of exclusion. She criticizes the lack of spaces for traditional leaders to present their demands at international meetings: “Will traditional populations at the COP in Pará be able to enter and present their demands? Because in other COPs, that hasn’t happened.”

COP30 President promises to listen the Amazon civil society

BRASÍLIA (DF) – Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, President of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), assured that local actors from the Amazon civil society will be heard during the preparatory phase of the event, which will take place in Belém this November.

Since its announcement, COP30 has faced criticism for allegedly excluding key regional stakeholders, such as Indigenous peoples, riverine communities, Quilombolas, and academic and scientific institutions, from the discussions.

The diplomat recalled how the 1992 Climate Conference held in Rio de Janeiro, known as Rio-92, had a significant impact on how Brazilians perceive climate change, the environment, and biodiversity.

“There is also a great deal of expectation because Brazil has a tradition, and this government has a tradition, of embracing civil society and listening to it. So, during this preparatory period, we will have extensive dialogue with civil society because their involvement in the process is essential. Just like in Rio-92, it is the population that must believe in this agenda and contribute to its success”, stated the COP President in Brazil.

He further emphasized that COP has a critical national dimension in organizing the event. “There is an extremely important national dimension, and given President Lula’s decision to hold COP in the Amazon, specifically in Belém, it is essential to listen to the people who live alongside this biome, which remains a mystery to most of the world. In fact, it is a mystery to many Brazilians. Their participation is absolutely essential”, Lago affirmed.

Following the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement –crucial for countries to commit to measures mitigating the effects of climate change – Lago acknowledged that this absence will have “a significant impact on COP30 preparations” as they evaluate how to address the departure of such an influential country.

The ambassador expressed optimism that most COP participants, where decisions are made by consensus, have already defended their national interests in this process and will now work toward a common goal: controlling the consequences of climate change.

“I believe countries may have different reasons for participating in COP, but I trust that all nations involved in the Paris Agreement understand the importance of remaining part of this process”, he said.

Regarding the agenda for the Belém meeting, the COP30 President explained that it is still under development, although certain mandates have already been predetermined by the countries negotiating during the previous 29 COPs. One of these is climate financing, discussed in Baku, Azerbaijan, and expected to continue under Brazil’s leadership to “strengthen the financial resources available to combat climate change.” A final amount that meets current global needs remains to be agreed upon.

“There are also several other topics, such as adaptation, which in Brazil this year became a widely understood and traumatic issue, especially following the events in Porto Alegre (RS). Many of these topics have already been pre-established for negotiation during COP”, the ambassador said.

Another highlighted topic is the so-called “action agenda” at COP, a parallel process where non-negotiating actors — as only official country delegations are permitted to negotiate — can also address certain issues. This action agenda will set priorities and could include states, cities, businesses, and civil society. “All of this is being developed, but we will discuss it in more detail soon”, Lago concluded.

Ana Cláudia Leocádio – From Cenarium

Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago wil host COP30

Credit: José Cruz | Agência Brasil

Credit: Marx Vasconcelos | Cenarium

Opportunities and challenges

Experts believe COP30 in Belém could bring positive social, economic, and political impacts, but overcoming obstacles will be essential to shift paradigms in environmental governance

Fabyo Cruz – From Cenarium

BELÉM (PA) – For the first time, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the world’s largest climate event, will take place in the Amazon, positioning the host city, Belém, and the Amazon region at the center of global discussions on environmental preservation and sustainable development. The impacts are expected to go beyond international visibility, potentially bringing significant economic, social, and political repercussions.

In this report, economist Nélio Bordalo Filho, political scientist Breno Guimarães, and social scientist João Noronha discuss the potential outcomes of COP30.

They analyze how the event could drive investments in urban infrastructure, boost tourism, and strengthen environmental governance in the Amazon. Additionally, they assess the challenges of implementing public policies that address both global demands and local needs.

ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP

For political scientist Breno Guimarães, president of the Brazilian Institute of Party Law (Ibradip) and a member of the Brazilian Academy of Electoral and Political Law (Abradep), COP30 represents a unique

View of Ver-o-Peso Market, one of Belém’s main tourist attractions, which received investments for renovations and is expected to draw visitors during COP30

“Brazil should present itself at COP30 by promoting environmentally sustainable practices to assume a leading role in global environmental discussions”

Breno Guimarães, political scientist.

opportunity for Belém and the Amazon to assume a global leadership role.

"Belém, as the host and stage of COP30, could play a leading role and influence regional public policies if state and municipal governments invest in environmental education, aiming to raise awareness of sustainable practices such as the use of renewable energy, waste recycling, and through revising legislation and implementing new initiatives capable of positively impacting environmental preservation and the sustainable development of cities," he emphasizes.

Furthermore, the conference could enhance the Amazon's visibility as a critical ecosystem for global climate regulation.

"The Amazon could appear on the global agenda as an essential ecosystem for regulating the planet's climate and preserving biodiversity, accompanied by international investments to strengthen local projects and encourage new sustainable initiatives, whether through reforestation projects, renewable energy, ecotourism, or empowering local communities involved in preserving the Amazon. Consequently, Bra-

zil must present itself at COP30 promoting environmentally sustainable practices to assume some level of leadership in global environmental discussions," explains Guimarães.

However, he warns that effective commitments may be limited. The absence of influential global leaders, such as the newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump, could weaken decisions aimed at preserving the Amazon, Guimarães notes.

“COP30, as a meeting of leaders of the participating countries, is a diplomatic gathering focused on discussing climate change issues, especially reducing the emission of pollutants, and may end up not presenting effective commitments from the participating countries. For instance, the newly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, will likely not attend COP30, and given the U.S.'s role as a key global actor in climate change discussions—due to its investment volume and global acquisitions—a COP without their presence might fail to address commitments toward solving environmental issues in the Amazon region.”

ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND TOURISM LEGACY

According to economist Nélio Bordalo Filho, a member of the Regional Council of Economics for Pará and Amapá (Corecon PA/AP), COP30 will bring both direct and indirect economic benefits to the region. He asserts that the event will stimulate sectors such as tourism, commerce, gastronomy, and services, attracting visitors from around the world. "The visibility generated will establish Belém as a gateway to Amazon tourism," he analyzes.

Bordalo points out that ecotourism and cultural tourism are likely to grow, benefiting not only Belém but also nearby cities such as Salinópolis and Castanhal in Pará’s northeastern region. “The event's preparations will drive temporary job creation and investments in infrastructure, leaving a positive economic and social legacy,” states Bordalo Filho.

He views COP30 as a catalyst to position the Amazon at the center of global discussions on sustainable development. International governments and companies,

sensitized by the importance of preservation, may channel resources into clean energy projects, such as solar and wind energy, as well as initiatives for reforestation and sustainable forest resource management.

Additionally, he highlights the potential of the bioeconomy:“The Amazon bioeconomy, with its potential to generate value through products like açaí, essential oils, pharmaceuticals, and natural cosmetics, will have the opportunity to attract investors seeking ventures aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event could also pave the way for public-private partnerships and improve access to international climate funds, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF),” he explains.

SOCIAL IMPACTS AND CLIMATE JUSTICE

Social scientist João Noronha, a sociology teacher in a state school in Mato Grosso, warns that the social impacts will depend on how resources are distributed. “While the event could lead to improvements in infrastructure and amplify the Amazon’s cultural visibility, it’s crucial that these changes benefit local communities, not just the visitors,” he argues.

“Without the inclusion of local voices, the discussions may reinforce historical inequalities instead of addressing them”

João Noronha, social scientist.

Noronha also sees COP30 as a platform to transform narratives about the Amazon and its peoples. He emphasizes that including Indigenous and traditional voices in the debates is essential to breaking down prejudices and reaffirming the role of these populations in preserving the biome. “This can contribute to building new paradigms of sustainable development and climate justice,” he concludes.

For the social scientist, the conference has the potential to reshape global perceptions of the Amazon and its peoples. “The event could demystify prejudiced and colonialist narratives, highlighting the importance of traditional populations in preserving the biome.”

He stresses that the involvement of these communities in the discussions is crucial: “Without the inclusion of local voices, the discussions risk reinforcing historical inequalities instead of addressing them. COP30 can redefine sustainable development as an ethical issue, incorporating climate and redistributive justice,” says Noronha.

Additionally, he believes the international visibility generated by the event could strengthen social movements and Amazonian leaderships: “This prominence could grant greater autonomy and bargaining power to local communities, reposi-

tioning the Amazon as a central piece in national policies,” he concludes.

CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES

Despite the optimism, the experts agree that implementing the commitments made at COP30 will face challenges. These include budgetary limitations of local governments, insufficient infrastructure, and the need for better coordination between different levels of government.

However, with international investments and civil society engagement, Belém has the potential to transform the event into a milestone for sustainable development in the Amazon and Brazil.

“The Amazon bioeconomy, with its potential to generate value through products like açaí, essential oils, pharmaceuticals, and natural cosmetics, will have the opportunity to attract investors seeking businesses aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”

Nélio Bordalo Filho, economist and advisor for the Regional Council of Economics of the States of Pará and Amapá (Corecon PA/AP).

Construction of the so-called new dock in Belém. Ongoing projects to create spaces for hosting visitors during COP30 are generating temporary jobs

Governors: Rhetoric vs. Reality

While bringing visibility and potential investments, the COP in the Amazon puts regional governors under pressure to deliver environmental preservation results in controversial contexts. The Lula administration also faces scrutiny

Fabyo Cruz – From Cenarium

BELÉM (PA) – With the approach of COP30, set to take place in Belém, the world’s eyes are on the Amazon region. Despite speeches promoting sustainability and inclusion, recent decisions by governors of the Legal Amazon have put both biodiversity and the rights of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities at risk. The main setbacks include the granting of licenses for mining and agribusiness, illegal deforestation, and the lack of prior consultation with communities affected by major projects. These actions undermine the region’s legitimacy as a reference point in the global climate agenda, experts warn.

In Pará, governed by Helder Barbalho (MDB), host of COP30, initiatives such as the duplication of Rua da Marinha—halted for lack of environmental impact studies— and controversial carbon credit negotiations without consulting Indigenous leaders expose contradictions between rhetoric and practice. Mining and the expansion of agribusiness reinforce the perception that economic interests are prevailing over environmental preservation.

Meanwhile, in Amazonas, under the leadership of Governor Wilson Lima (União Brasil), deforestation and wildfires have reached alarming levels, as projects for oil and gas exploration continue to advance.

In April of last year, the governor signed the Concession of Real Right of Use (CDRU) for four areas in Urucu, Coari, allowing Petrobras to continue natural gas and oil exploration on state lands. At the same time, Indigenous movements protested in Manaus against the state license for potassium mining in the Amazon, claiming violations of their right to prior consultation guaranteed by ILO Convention No. 169. A similar impasse is playing out with gas and oil exploration projects in the municipalities of Silves and Itapiranga, where Indigenous groups are also opposing the initiatives and reporting violations of their rights. Concurrently, the historic drought of 2024 has exacerbated climate impacts, increasing the vulnerability of riverside populations.

In Mato Grosso, governed by Mauro Mendes (União Brasil), the relaxation of environmental laws and lack of enforcement have facilitated deforestation and the unchecked expansion of agribusiness, drawing criticism from environmentalists. Rondônia and Acre face increasing pressure as well. In Rondônia, under Governor Marcos Rocha (União Brasil), efforts are underway to reduce protected areas to expand agribusiness. Meanwhile, Acre, led by Gladson Cameli (Progressistas), is grappling with rising wildfires and the impacts on the iconic Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve.

Other states in the region face similar challenges. Amapá, under Clécio Luís (Solidariedade), faces resistance from environmentalists due to support for oil exploration. In Roraima, inefficiency in combating illegal mining and discriminatory statements against Indigenous peoples have drawn criticism toward Governor Antonio Denarium. Maranhão, led by Carlos Brandão (PSB), and Tocantins, governed by Wanderlei Barbosa (Republicanos), are dealing with issues such as deforestation, Cerrado wildfires, and the overuse of agricultural chemicals, exacerbating environmental problems.

In Belém, initiatives like the duplication of Rua da Marinha, halted due to a lack of environmental impact studies, illustrate how environmental rhetoric doesn’t always align with practical realities in Amazonian states

LEADERSHIP AT RISK

The 30th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference is seen as an opportunity to reposition the Legal Amazon at the center of the global climate agenda. However, experts warn that without reversing harmful policies, local governors risk weakening their credibility.

Carlos Eduardo Siqueira, a professor with a doctorate in International Relations from the University of Brasília (UnB), explains that since 2008, leaders in the region have sought to take a leading role in the environ-

mental agenda through initiatives such as the Amazon Governors’ Forum, which allows for international action via paradiplomacy. However, the lack of decision-making power in international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, limits their direct influence.

“Amazonian governors have been organizing since 2008 and seeking prominence in the Amazon agenda, even with limited negotiating power, precisely because the environmental agenda, the main issue in the region, is linked to the United Nations. They created the Amazon Governors’ Forum and other political arrangements that enable

them to conduct paradiplomacy—the diplomacy of regions and cities. This way, they can pressure the Brazilian central government on transparency and mobilize the population against predatory policies such as the carbon market, where large companies pay to deforest,” Siqueira highlights.

According to him, while environmental decisions continue to be made top-down, Indigenous peoples and traditional communities are intensifying their resistance strategies. Siqueira notes that these groups are organizing to demand public policies that respect their rights and conditions but

Credit: Marx Vasconcelos | Cenarium

face difficulties due to their limited political leverage in an unfavorable scenario.

“Many policies are imposed top-down by decision-makers—politicians holding state offices. What Indigenous and traditional communities can do is strengthen their organization, be in strategic places to demand public policies consistent with their conditions. They already do this, but it depends on the political context of the country and the region. Given the status quo, these groups, as they are organized, have low political leverage to change it,” the specialist analyzes.

LULA’S GOVERNMENT UNDER PRESSURE

With less than a year until COP30, President Lula’s government is also facing growing internal and international pressure to advance the environmental agenda. The promise of achieving zero deforestation by 2030, one of the main campaign pledges, has proven to be a monumental challenge in light of recent figures on wildfires and forest destruction.

Brazil approaches the global conference at a critical juncture: with five years remaining to meet the target, but so far without

sufficient action. Data from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) shows that deforestation in the Amazon remains at worrying levels, casting doubt on the feasibility of the government’s commitment. Brazil recorded 278,299 forest fire outbreaks in 2024, a 46.5% increase compared to the previous year, when 189,901 occurrences were reported. By biome, most fires occurred in the Amazon, with 140,346 outbreaks, followed by the Cerrado (81,468), Atlantic Forest (21,328), Caatinga (20,235), and Pampas (424).

Meeting of the 27th Forum of Governors of the Legal Amazon, held in April 2024, in Rio Branco, Acre

Credit: Marcos Vicentti Governo do Acre

“Many

policies are imposed by decisionmakers—politicians vested with state authority—from the top down. What Indigenous and traditional communities can do is strengthen their organization”

Carlos Eduardo Siqueira, PhD in International Relations, University of Brasília (UnB).

if we do not have an effective mechanism to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement.”

Expectations are high for Brazil to assume a leadership role in the global climate debate, but this responsibility is also a double-edged sword. Success in implementing concrete actions could establish the country as an environmental reference; however, failures could have negative repercussions f or both Brazil’s international image and the government.

In addition to external pressures, the government faces demands from social and environmental sectors within the country. Activists and researchers are calling for greater urgency in environmental protection actions, while traditional communities living in the Amazon denounce the advance of illegal mining and exploitation of Indigenous lands. Despite some initial measures, such as increased enforcement and the reactivation of the Amazon Fund, the alarming deforestation figures indicate that much remains to be done.

President Lula acknowledged the historical significance of COP30 during the last G20 meeting held in November of last year in Rio de Janeiro. “We cannot postpone Baku’s task to Belém. COP30 will be our last chance to avoid an irreversible collapse of the climate system,” the president emphasized while inviting global leaders to the event in Brazil. Lula also stressed the need for more robust climate governance: “We need stronger climate governance. It makes no sense to negotiate new commitments

Credit: Personal Archive

Overcoming lack of infrastructure

Construction in Belém Progresses Amid Criticism and Expectations

Cenarium

Renovation of the former Federal Revenue building, soon to be converted into one of the new hotels to address Belém’s shortage of accommodations

Fabyo Cruz – From

BELÉM (PA) – Belém, the capital of Pará, has transformed into a massive construction site, with barricades, traffic interventions, and signs branding the city as the "Capital of COP30." Hosting the 30th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), scheduled from November 10 to 21 this year, presents the municipality with structural, logistical, environmental, and social challenges. According to the Special Secretariat for COP30, linked to the Presidential Chief of Staff's office, over 30 major infrastructure projects are underway in Belém through a partnership between the federal government, city hall, and the state government. However, as preparations progress, concerns from various sectors arise regarding the impact and execution of these interventions. The federal government has allocated nearly R$4.7 billion for the climate conference preparations.

During the conference, the Brazilian government expects to host over 40,000 attendees in Belém, including heads of state, diplomats, business leaders, investors, activists, and delegations from the 193 UN member countries. With this high demand, the hospitality sector faces significant challenges, especially due to insufficient accommodations for visitors. According to the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association of Pará (Abih-PA), the city’s hotels are undergoing renovations to meet COP30 requirements.

Belém currently offers 18,000 hotel beds, but the number is expected to rise to 22,000 by the conference, thanks to new hotel openings and expansions. Counting double beds as two accommodations, the total is projected to reach between 45,000 and 50,000. Three new high-standard hotels targeting upper-class guests are under construction, financed by international groups. One is being built in the Porto Futuro II area, another will occupy a former Receita Federal building, and the third will be located in Castanhal, 75 kilometers from Belém.

Another strategy to expand lodging capacity involves the use of cruise ships docked at the Outeiro port, about 35 kilometers from downtown Belém. Considered a "strategic point" for hosting such vessels,

Outeiro port is expected to provide around 4,500 temporary rooms during the event. Additionally, the port of Belém, though limited to smaller ships due to its current depth, will also contribute to the city's lodging options during the conference.

ONGOING PROJECTS

Regarded by the Pará State Government as the largest urban intervention project currently underway in the state, the City Park will be one of the key venues for COP30 programming. According to the state government, the project is on schedule, with over 73% of the work planned for the event already completed. In total, the park will feature more than 500,000 square meters

“We need to change the pattern of urbanization and macrodrainage in our projects, incorporating native vegetation areas and solutions that naturally absorb rainwater”

Juliano Pamplona Ximenes Ponte, architect and urban planner, professor at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA).

of constructed spaces, complemented by a 50-hectare landscaped area. The final project includes an aviation museum, a creative economy center, a gastronomic boulevard, cycling and eco trails, preserved green areas, an artificial lake, and sports facilities for recreation, culture, art, and wellness.

Preliminary plans designate the Hangar Convention Center of the Amazon as the blue zone of COP30, where international leaders and major decisions will converge. Less than two kilometers away, City Park will serve as the green zone, intended for public participation in the event’s various activities. Both venues are interconnected and located in the Souza neighborhood,

approximately 20 minutes by car from Belém International Airport, which is also undergoing renovation.

Other notable projects include Porto Futuro II. At this site, five warehouses, granted by Companhia Docas do Pará (CDP) to the state government, are being revitalized and transformed into a leisure and gastronomy complex, including an innovative bioeconomy hub. The space, envisioned as a new tourist attraction for Belém, will celebrate popular culture, intangible heritage, Amazonian history, gastronomic experiences, and Pará's biodiversity, offering visitors a unique experience. Currently, more than 50% of the project has been completed, according to the Pará State Government.

Another highly publicized initiative is the expansion of Rua da Marinha, part of a planned road network aimed at creating an urban corridor. The state government claims this project will reduce congestion in the Greater Belém area, improve traffic safety, and shorten travel times between the capital and surrounding municipalities.

Visconde de Souza Franco Avenue in downtown Belém is being transformed into the “New Doca,” a future city landmark. With 51% of work completed, the reconstruction includes a metallic walkway with a viewing platform, snack kiosks, rain gardens, picnic areas, an event space, a pet area, urbanized roadways, a playground, an outdoor gym, and an interactive fountain. The construction involves the installation of foundations, concreting of metallic components, and driving piles to support the canal structure.

The Linear Doca Park project, a partnership between the Pará State Government and the federal government with support from Itaipu Binacional, involves the revitalization of a 1.2-kilometer canal. The project includes drainage systems, landscaping, urbanization, walkways, and replacement of tide control gates to prevent flooding. Additionally, more than 2.4 kilometers of Visconde de Souza Franco Avenue will be paved, with a deep and surface drainage system for rainwater, sewer networks, potable water piping, bike lanes, and a clean energy system.

PROGRESS VS. SEGREGATION

Juliano Pamplona Ximenes Ponte, an architect and urban planner from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), argues that there is no universal formula for urban planning in cities hosting international mega-events like the Olympics or COPs, but a recurring pattern exists. This model, driven by neoliberal ideologies, prioritizes the creation of controlled and restricted "urban corridors" to present an "embellished" image of the city for visitors. However, the improvements made for such events rarely translate into direct benefits for the local population.

Ponte notes that, instead of promoting inclusive urban development, these interventions often lead to social segregation, with upgrades concentrated in high-value symbolic and commercial areas, while peripheral neighborhoods are neglected.

Regarding urban planning in the Amazon region, Ponte criticizes the lack of rigor in major project designs, such as those undertaken by the Pará State Government. He highlights the environmental impact of road infrastructure projects, which have led to the destruction of native vegetation, local wildlife deaths, and increased pollution. On the other hand, he praises the city’s interventions, which focus on urgent

public needs, such as improvements to the São Brás Market, Ver-o-Peso, and the BRT public transportation system, also part of the COP30 preparations.

Ponte suggests shifting away from the current model of large-scale infrastructure projects with significant environmental impacts to adopt a more sustainable approach based on green infrastructure solutions and public space designs that respect the local environment. “We need to change the pattern of urbanization and macro-drainage projects by incorporating native vegetation areas and solutions that naturally absorb rainwater,” he proposes.

Aerial view of the area surrounding Theatro da Paz, one of Belém’s main tourist attractions

Credit: Marx Vasconcelos Cenarium

One of the biggest challenges of megaevents, according to Ponte, is ensuring the projects leave a positive legacy for the local population. In Belém, he criticizes the lack of continuity in critical initiatives, such as dredging Guajará Bay, which could benefit the city’s port area. However, he is optimistic about some initiatives from former mayor Edmilson Rodrigues’ administration, which, unlike projects aimed solely at “beautifying the city” for the event, are better aligned with the daily needs of the population.

Ponte emphasizes the importance of considering social demands and community participation in planning large urban interventions. He cites the municipal government’s public consultation process as a positive example of how projects can be more accountable and directly benefit the community.

While urban projects inevitably cause some degree of disruption, Ponte believes

effective planning can mitigate these impacts. He criticizes the rushed execution of projects like the Doca and Tamandaré canal systems, which failed in hydraulic planning, leading to flooding and contamination issues. Rigorous diagnostics and efficient management are crucial to minimizing disruptions during large-scale construction.

Ponte concludes that major urban projects can be executed without harming the environment or excluding the population. The key lies in planning that balances local needs with environmental considerations.

"The Metropolitan Region of Belém has nearly 60% of its households in slums, precarious areas. It is essential to ensure decent housing, schools, healthcare units, and adequate public spaces for everyone," concludes Ponte, emphasizing the importance of more just and sustainable urbanization for the future of Amazonian cities.

According to the Special Secretariat for COP30, under the Civil House of the Presidency, more than 30 infrastructure projects are currently underway in Belém.

40,000

During the conference, the Brazilian government expects to host over 40,000 attendees in Belém, including heads of state, diplomats, business leaders, investors, activists, and delegations from the 193 United Nations (UN) member countries.

Vila da Barca, in Belém. Nearly 60% of households in the Belém Metropolitan Region are located in slums and precarious areas

Technology in Service of Preservation

Curupira Project: Advances in Environmental Monitoring and Technological Innovations

Thaís Matos – From Cenarium

Credit: Luiz André Nascimento | Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – Led by the Embedded Systems Laboratory (LSE/ HUB) of the University of the State of Amazonas (UEA), the Curupira Project has advanced significantly since its inception in 2023, focusing on technological enhancements aimed at environmental preservation. Developed to implement an intelligent monitoring system for dense forest areas, rivers, and urban zones, the project adopts an innovative approach to detecting threats and attacks on the ecosystem from within the forest, rather than from external sources, such as satellite monitoring.

Among its progress, the project has incorporated new functionalities, parameters, and monitoring tools, along with improvements to the communication system and greater energy autonomy for the device. Dr. Raimundo Cláudio, coordinator of LSE/ HUB, highlighted these advancements in an interview with CENARIUM, reaffirming the commitment to environmental protection and technological evolution.

“In the first version, launched in 2023, our energy autonomy was only one year. Since then, we’ve made significant progress and now achieve autonomy of five years. Although we are not yet using energy harvesting, this transition represents an important progress in the process. Additionally, other improvements have been made during this time. Currently, we are working on adding the ability to detect wildfire hotspots through images. We are also developing a system application for fauna identification, including birds, terrestrial animals, and others. This functionality will allow the creation of modules specialized for these tasks”, explained the professor.

TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

Another significant milestone to highlight is the development of the system’s first hardware prototype in 2023. Since then, it has evolved into more robust versions that incorporate additional functionalities and use more powerful microcontroller platforms. This new hardware offers greater capabilities and, combined with software improvements, has been adapted to meet different applications.

In addition to sound detection, the newly incorporated functionalities include other sensors, increased processing capacity, and optimized strategies to achieve five years of energy autonomy. These results were made possible by continuous refinement of the hardware design, which is essential for achieving durability and energy efficiency.

IDENTIFYING WILDFIRE HOTSPOTS

Regarding wildfire detection in the Amazon, the professor highlighted that sensors for smoke and air quality are being integrated. These sensors can measure temperature, humidity, suspended particles, and gases such as oxygen and CO₂. These features are especially useful in contexts of extreme drought, where the demand for monitoring deforested areas and fire outbreaks increases. “Curupira emerges as an additional tool to protect the environment by providing real-time information”, he said.

The professor explained that satellite monitoring, currently the most widely used method, has limitations such as high costs, delayed data, and significant resource requirements for high resolution or scan frequency, especially in regions like the Amazon. Detailed and effective monitoring would require a high number of low-orbit satellites, making the process even more expensive.

The advantages of Curupira in detecting these issues lie in its differentiated and more economical approach. Using radio communication, it can detect preliminary events like chainsaw noises or increased smoke concentration. Upon identifying these signals in real time, the system sends automatic alerts, enabling immediate action.

“Additionally, Curupira can integrate with satellite services, requesting specific images of areas of interest at the moment of the alert, or activate drones for overflights and detailed visual recordings. This combination of technologies offers a more agile and effective solution to prevent deforestation and wildfires, significantly impacting ecosystem protection,” he added.

Raimundo Cláudio explained that the implementation of the fire monitoring system is in the deployment phase, the

“We are working on adding the ability to detect wildfire hotspots through images. We are also developing a system application for fauna identification”

Dr. Raimundo Cláudio, coordinator of the Embedded Systems Laboratory (LSE/HUB) of the University of the State of Amazonas (UEA).

Credit: Luiz André Nascimento | Cenarium

fourth stage of the project before reaching end users. However, there are other work fronts expected to be completed before this system is made publicly available.

FUTURE PROJECTS

The professor explained that some projects are expected to be completed this year, including partnerships with other state agencies. Curupira is set to be installed in the Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve, in the municipality of São Sebastião do Uatumã ( 247 km away from the capital city Manaus) where it will

monitor part of the reserve, which includes local woodworking activities.

“In a few weeks, or at most a month, we will begin initial field visits to install the modules. These visits will mark the start of preliminary studies in the area. Meanwhile, we are preparing the units, configuring them for deployment“, he explained.

Raimundo also stated that the project follows a version development model. The initial version will be deployed for testing. Based on the preliminary data and results obtained, subsequent versions will be developed, adjusting and improving the

system as needed. “We have not yet visited the area due to the severity of the recent drought, which made access impossible. However, with the situation now more favorable, we will begin activities directly in the community“, he said.

The system’s full implementation is planned for the final phase of the project, with completion expected by the end of this year.

Another project set for completion this year involves fauna monitoring in the Rio Amapá Sustainable Development Reserve, in the municipality of Manicoré (332 km

Curupira system device during a test

away from Manaus). This project was requested by the Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS) and has already begun with the foundation’s team. Field visits are scheduled for February, with completion expected by May.

“We are currently defining and identifying the species and animals to be monitored, as well as collecting characteristic sound patterns of these animals. These patterns will be cataloged, and then we’ll integrate the identification model into the Curupira system”, he explained.

Currently, no areas are actively monitored, as the project has not yet reached the definitive implementation phase. Some developments and adjustments are still being programmed. However, the first monitored areas will be the regions of Manicoré and São Sebastião do Rio Uatumã.

“Additionally, in partnership with CMA [Amazon Military Command], some units will be installed in the training area of Cigs [Jungle Warfare Training Center]. These units, however, will focus on system testing and adjustments. By the end of this year, we expect to have at least two clearly and functionally monitored areas, marking the start of effective project operations”, explained Raimundo Cláudio.

Raimundo also mentioned that some companies and partners have approached the program for project development, and there is ongoing dialogue with various individuals and organizations to secure the necessary funding to expand field testing and deploy the system in new areas, exploring additional applications. These projects could also be used for carbon credit purposes.

‘YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THE REGION’

The coordinator of the Embedded Systems Laboratory (LSE/HUB) at the University of the State of Amazonas (UEA), Dr. Raimundo Cláudio, emphasized that monitoring the Amazon is no easy task, given the forest’s unique characteristics. The system is complex and non-trivial, requiring a deep understanding of local conditions.

“I recognize the competence of major institutions in Brazil, like USP [University of São Paulo] and others, but I stress that, beyond technical capability, it is essential to know the reality of our region. It’s not enough to visit it once; you have to experience the region to understand its challenges and peculiarities. Only then can truly effective solutions be developed”, emphasized the coordinator.

Credit: Reproduction | UEA

Curupira system device being installed for testing

Mayors at Right

Most capital city mayors in the Legal Amazon align with a conservative profile

MANAUS (AM) – Five of the nine mayors of the capitals in the Legal Amazon who took office on January 1, 2025, were re-elected in the last municipal elections, which took place in October 2024. CENARIUM conducted a survey on Friday, the 3rd, regarding the profile of the new leaders of the cities, where more than 7 million inhabitants live, and seven of them are linked to the right-wing.

Among the re-elected candidates, three formed alliances with parties considered to be on the right-wing, one ran for the Partido Liberal (Liberal Party (PL)), and the fifth had centrist parties in the coalition. Among the candidates who ran for office for the first time, three sought right-wing parties to form their candidacies, and one did not form alliances and ran for a centrist party.

CENARIUM consulted experts to analyze what led the region to vote for politicians inclined to the right-wing. Lawyer and political scientist Helso Ribeiro attributed

the growth of right-wing candidacies to the rise of the far right in the country. Political scientist Davidson Cavalcante pointed out that the election of figures from this ideological field could impact environmental actions.

For the survey on the profile of the nine mayors of the capitals of the states in the Legal Amazon, CENARIUM considered data released by the Nexus Consultancy in October 2024. According to the consultancy, left-wing parties include PCdoB, PDT, PSB, PT, PV, and Rede. Centrist parties include Agir, Avante, MDB, Mobiliza, PMB, Podemos, PP, PSD, and Solidariedade. Right-wing parties are PL, Democracia Cristã (Christian Democracy), Novo, PR, PRTB, PSDB, Republicanos and União Brasil.

One of the re-elected candidates running for a right-wing party is the mayor of Rio Branco (AC), Tião Bocalom (PL). In addition to the PL, the winning coalition at the polls had the support of the par-

ties União Brasil, Progressistas, Podemos, and the PSDB-Cidadania Federation. In an interview with CNN Brasil after his re-election, the mayor of the capital of Acre praised former president Jair Bolsonaro, one of the main figures on the right-wing in the country.

“My identification with Jair Bolsonaro was immediate because he had a posture as president of the Republic very similar to what I have always dreamed of, always had […] The other issue is the defense of the flag of patriotism. I will not give that up”, said the mayor of the capital of Acre.

Davi Almeida (Avante), the re-elected mayor of Manaus, was also one of the candidates who allied with right-wing parties to run for a new term, despite having Lula-supporting senators Eduardo Braga (MDB) and Omar Aziz (PSD) on his platform. During the electoral campaign, the politician maintained a religious and conservative discourse.

Elected and re-elected mayors of the capitals in the Legal Amazon

Jadson Lima – From Cenarium

Credit: Composition of Élio Lima | Cenarium

“When God looks at a man and when a man sees in another man, a pastor, God sees in him a king. When people saw me as an electoral agent [in 1996], God had already seen me as mayor”, said Almeida during the convention that officially nominated him for re-election.

In addition to Almeida, the re-elected mayors in Boa Vista (RR) and Macapá (AP), Arthur Henrique and Dr. Furlan, respectively, both from the MDB, also had right-wing parties involved in their candidacies. In the capital of Boa Vista, the vice-mayor candidate, Lieutenant Colonel Marcelo Zeitoune, was nominated by the PL. Furlan’s candidacy included the PRD party in its coalition.

The only re-elected candidate who did not form an alliance with right-wing parties was Eduardo Braide (Podemos). The mayor of São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, received support from the Republicanos and the MDB, in addition to his party, the PSD. All these parties are considered centrist according to the Nexus survey.

Tião

ALLIANCES OF THE ELECTED

Three of the four candidates who ran for office for the first time also allied with or ran under right-wing parties in the 2024 municipal elections. In Cuiabá, the capital of Mato Grosso, the Bolsonaro-supporting candidate, Abilio Brunini (PL), was elected with direct support from the Bolsonaro family and prominent figures from the Brazilian right, such as federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG). After the election, he preached unity.

“Cuiabá is one. The problems of Cuiabá affect all of us. The city’s potholes do not choose sides; they affect both the left-wing and the right-wing. The suffering we experience in the UPAs has no ideological side. There are shortages of medicine and services for both the right-wing and the left-wing. We will have to join forces with everyone, with the support of voters from both sides,” he said in a speech.

The candidate from the Barbalho clan in Belém, Igor Normando (MDB), was another politician who received support

“ I observe that there has been a growth of the far-right in Brazil, and with that, the term ‘right-wing’ has generated a kind of inflationary use. So, everyone is now rightwing to look good in the picture”

Helso Ribeiro, lawyer and political scientist.

Bocalom, mayor of Rio Branco, during a meeting with Jair Bolsonaro

“The closeness to figures like former president Jair Bolsonaro suggests that conservative agendas, such as public security, defending traditional values, and reducing state intervention in the economy, may gain prominence in the agendas of these managers”

Davidson Cavalcante, political scientist and sociologist.

from parties such as União Brasil, PRD, and Cidadania, which is in federation with PSDB. Despite the alliance with right-wing parties, Normando did not have the support of the Bolsonaro clan and had to face the candidate from the former president’s political group, who campaigned for federal deputy Éder Mauro (PL).

A similar case occurred in Palmas. The then-candidate Eduardo Siqueira (Podemos) gathered parties considered right-wing around him but faced a candidate from Jair Bolsonaro’s party, PL. Despite the support, the candidate, who had previously governed the capital of Tocantins from 1993 to 1997, won the runoff election.

In the capital of Rondônia, Porto Velho, candidate Leo Moraes (Podemos) did not gather other parties around his candidacy and ran solely under Podemos, a party considered centrist according to Nexus consultancy. His opponent, candidate Mariana Carvalho (União Brasil), had the support of 12 parties.

GROWTH OF THE FAR-RIGHT

To CENARIUM, lawyer and political scientist Helso Ribeiro stated that the boost in right-wing candidacies is linked to the

growth of the far-right in the country. The expert explained that actions developed at the municipal level are governmental, not ideological. However, he believes that politicians needed to adjust their positioning to secure votes from constituents who began to identify with figures from this ideological field, such as former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

“Building a daycare, filling a pothole, planting trees on the streets, taking care of public pavement and sidewalks. This is neither left nor right. This is government action. Now, I observe that there has been a growth of the far-right in Brazil, and with that, the term ‘right-wing’ has generated a kind of inflationary use. So, everyone is now right-wing to look good in the picture”, he said.

The political scientist emphasized that the ideological profile of leaders does not influence decision-making if they have a social vision. “If a person in the Executive has a social vision, they will take actions that affect vulnerable people. They do not need to be left-wing or right-wing for that. A daycare is not a left or right thing, filling a hole in the street is not a left or right thing”, he stressed.

The expert also stated that conservatism today is the result of propaganda from a movement that does not always reflect the facts and the behavior of those who promote it. “Now, the fact that this conservative discourse exists does not mean that left-wing people are not conservative, nor that right-wing people are always conservative”, he said.

REELECTION OF MAYORS

For Helso, the reelection of most mayors in the capitals of the Legal Amazon may be conditioned by the actions taken by the leaders during their first term. The expert emphasized that the achievements made in the last two years of the first administration favor those in power, unlike a candidate who has no administrative record.

“Those who hold power in the Executive have projects to show because of the administrative machine. And this has made reelection easier to some extent. Then, the voter wants to see the completion of the project and applauds the action, which is usually delivered in the final two years of

Abilio Brunini, mayor of Cuiabá, with federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira Credit: Disclosure

the term to leave a mark on the population’s mind”, he concluded.

CONSERVATISM

Political scientist and sociologist Davidson Cavalcante stated to CENARIUM that the conservative inclination among mayors in the capitals of the Legal Amazon reflects the social and cultural context along with the demands of the local electorate. According to the expert, religiosity, the search for stability, and the rejection of the “system” are factors that explain the election of these figures.

“The influence of evangelical and Catholic groups strengthens candidates who defend moral and traditional agendas, such as valuing the family and opposing progressive agendas. [On the other hand], in a scenario of economic and social crises, the conservative discourse, often associated with order and security, attracts voters who seek immediate answers. [And finally], the narrative against corruption and political privileges is well-received, even when there is no proof that conservative candidates can fulfill these promises”, he said.

Cavalcante also mentioned that the proximity of leaders to right-wing discourse indicates that conservative agendas may gain prominence in the managers’ agendas. “The closeness to figures like former

president Jair Bolsonaro suggests that conservative agendas, such as public security, defending traditional values, and reducing state intervention in the economy, may gain prominence in the agendas of these managers”, he stressed.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Cavalcante also pointed out that mayors who adopt discourses favoring the relaxation of environmental regulations may attract sectors such as agribusiness and mining but also become targets of criticism from environmental movements. For him, the current political scenario could be marked by tensions between economic interests and environmental demands.

“The North region, in particular, has a strong connection with environmental issues. Mayors aligned with discourses of relaxing environmental regulations may face criticism from social and environmental movements, but they may also attract sectors such as agribusiness and mining”, he concluded.

David Almeida, mayor of Manaus, has publicly declared his support for Jair Bolsonaro

Igor Normando, mayor of Belém, alongside Pará governor Helder Barbalho

Credit: Disclosure

Act for Democracy

'We’re still here': Lula delivers speech at the two-year anniversary of January 8, recalling the attempted coup and the attacks on the Three Branches of Government From Cenarium*

BRASÍLIA (DF) – “Today is the day to say loud and clear: we are still here. We are here to say that we are alive and that democracy is alive, contrary to what the coup plotters of January 8, 2023, had planned.” With these words, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began his speech during an event at the Planalto Palace on January 8 of this year, marking the second anniversary of the failed coup attempt in 2023.

The opening phrase makes a reference to the film "I'm Still Here", directed by Walter Salles and starring Fernanda Torres—Golden Globe winner—about Eunice Paiva’s journey during the military dictatorship after her husband, Rubens Paiva, was arrested, tortured and killed by the regime. The ceremony at the Planalto Palace was attended by ministers, members of Congress, governors, and representatives of the Three Branches of Government,

as well as the commanders of the Armed Forces, whom the president made a point of thanking for their participation.

“We are here to remember that, if we are here, it is because democracy prevailed. Otherwise, many of us might have ended up imprisoned, exiled, or dead, as happened in the past, and we will not let it happen again,” Lula continued.

In a prior ceremony, the president welcomed back 21 works of art and cultural

President delivered a speech against coup attempts at the Planalto Palace

Credit: Lula Marques | Agência Brasil

pieces from the Planalto Palace’s collection, which had been vandalized by the invaders on January 8, 2023, including an 18th-century Swiss clock that belonged to Dom João VI and the iconic painting Mulatas by Di Cavalcanti.

After the ceremony in the Noble Hall of the Planalto Palace, Lula and the authorities descended the palace ramp for an event at the Praça dos Três Poderes (Square of the Three Branches) called the Hug of Democracy, which included the presence of citizens and social movements.

A WORK IN PROGRESS

During his speech in defense of democracy, Lula stated that democracy is a work in progress and must become a reality for everyone, not just rhetoric.

“Democracy for a few is not full democracy. Therefore, democracy will always be a work in progress. Democracy will be complete when all Brazilians, without exception, have access to quality food, healthcare, education, security, culture, and leisure,” he observed.

Lula went on to emphasize the need to build a fairer country, especially for the oppressed social minorities in Brazil.

“Democracy will be complete when everyone is truly equal before the law and Black skin is no longer a target of state agents’ brutality. When Indigenous peoples have the right to their lands, cultures, and beliefs. When women achieve equality in rights and the freedom to be wherever they want to be without being judged, attacked, or murdered,” he stated.

INVESTIGATION AND PUNISHMENT

Regarding the attempted coup and the investigations revealing a plot to assassinate him, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, President Lula once again demanded punishment and upheld the right to defense.

“Those responsible for January 8 are being investigated and punished. No one has been or will be unjustly imprisoned. Everyone will pay for the crimes they committed, including those who planned the assassinations of the president, the vice president, and the president of the Superior Electoral Court,” he said.

(*) With information from Agência Brasil.

“We are here to remember that, if we are here, it is because democracy prevailed. Otherwise, many of us might have ended up imprisoned, exiled, or dead, as happened in the past, and we will not let it happen again”

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil.

Event marks two years since the failed coup attempt in 2023

Ceremony was attended by ministers, lawmakers, governors, and representatives of the Three Branches of Government

2025: Challenges for Managers

Environmental and climate issues are essential on municipal management agendas

Vinicius Raduan – Special for Cenarium**

PORTO VELHO (RO) – Upon taking office, mayors in the states of the Legal Amazon face increasingly critical and complex environmental and social challenges. These are intensified by ecological crises, socio-environmental conflicts, and climate change.

The region, which spans nine states (Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and Tocantins), experienced a series of environmental emergencies in 2024, including wildfires, accelerated deforestation, historic droughts, and extreme flooding.

These events have directly affected the quality of life of communities and jeop-

ardized vital economic activities in the region, such as agriculture and ecotourism.

However, despite existing legislation for environmental protection and climate change mitigation, the lack of effective regulation of climate governance and biodiversity policies at municipal and state levels limits local administrators' ability to act.

DELAY

The Legal Amazon, due to its vastness and environmental complexity, demands a rigorous commitment to regulating climate governance and environmental service policies. In states like Rondônia, Pará and Mato Grosso, the lack of regulation

for deforestation control and incentives for carbon credits has severely impacted the ability to develop policies that could attract resources to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Regulating such policies could generate substantial revenue for municipalities, enabling initiatives to combat forest fires, fund firefighting brigades, install artesian wells, conduct environmental monitoring, and undertake other actions necessary to strengthen climate resilience. However, without such regulation, the Legal Amazon suffers from missed economic opportunities and worsening socio-environmental crises.

The Amazon region depicted in shades of yellow and red

Credit: Composição Paulo Dutra | Cenarium

DENIALISM

Climate denialism, still present in various political and social spheres in the Legal Amazon, poses a significant barrier to implementing effective environmental policies. This stance contributes to the acceleration of destructive practices, such as predatory logging, illegal mining, and the occupation of protected areas, resulting in large-scale environmental damage.

The destruction of ecosystems, including primary forests and Indigenous territories, has exacerbated extreme weather events, such as prolonged droughts and devastating floods, threatening both local communities and biodiversity.

Moreover, predatory exploitation undermines the Amazon rainforest's capacity to act as a climate regulator, worsening the effects of climate change.

The direct consequence is a sharp decline in agricultural productivity, particularly for traditional crops that depend on a stable climate regime.

Food insecurity is becoming a reality in several regions, as climate variability affects local production and drives up food prices, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations and the food security of many groups.

GOVERNANCE

Audits conducted by bodies like the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) and State Courts of Accounts in the Legal Amazon States have revealed serious flaws in monitoring systems and the prevention of unsustainable practices.

These audits expose the consequences of the lack of regulation of environmental policies but also highlight the fragility of local governance in addressing recurring environmental crises.

Wildfires, for example, have left states like Mato Grosso, Pará and Rondônia in a state of calamity, with air pollution reaching dangerous levels and leading to increased respiratory issues and other public health problems.

To turn these audits into concrete actions, it is essential for mayors in the Legal Amazon to work in coordination with the Courts of Accounts and experts

“The creation of environmental councils, forest management plans, and environmental education programs for communities are essential steps for municipalities to strengthen local governance and prevent future crises”

Vinicius Valentin Raduan Miguel, coordinator of the Research and Intervention Group on Human Rights – Mapinguari, and professor at the Federal University of Rondônia.

and adopt robust environmental management measures.

The creation of environmental councils, forest management plans, and environmental education programs for communities are essential steps for municipalities to strengthen local governance and prevent future crises.

WATER CRISIS

Although the Legal Amazon holds one of the world's largest water reserves, it faces severe challenges related to water supply and basic sanitation.

The water crisis, which has worsened in regions like Acre, Amazonas and Rondônia, has revealed the limitations of water management policies, particularly in riverside communities and isolated rural areas.

The lack of access to potable water and the absence of sewage treatment are problems that threaten public health, intensify social inequalities, and compromise collective health across generations.

Implementing the Basic Sanitation Regulatory Framework (Law No. 14,026/2020), which aims to universalize access to these services by 2033, should be a priority for mayors in the Legal Amazon states.

However, to achieve this goal, it is crucial for municipal managers to invest in basic sanitation infrastructure and water treatment systems.

The development of sustainable policies for the protection of water resources and

raising public awareness about responsible water use are equally essential to address the water crisis challenge.

SUSTAINABILITY

The unregulated growth of urban areas and the expansion of agricultural frontiers in the Legal Amazon over protected areas increase pressure on natural resources and worsen issues like soil erosion and biodiversity loss.

Adopting policies based on the principles of Environmental Governance is essential to promote sustainable development in the region.

Integrating the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into municipal agendas can serve as a guide and protocol for local administrators, especially in areas of high socio-environmental vulnerability.

Commitment to sustainability can no longer be postponed. Delaying the debate and adoption of good practices will only lead to more socio-environmental damage, reduced future assets, and further compromise the Amazon's balance.

(*) Vinicius Valentin Raduan Miguel holds degrees in Law and Social Sciences. He is a master's graduate from the University of Glasgow (Scotland) and a doctorate holder from UFRGS. Currently, he coordinates the Research and Intervention Group on Human Rights – Mapinguari and works as a professor at the Federal University of Rondônia.

(*) This content is the author's responsibility.

Indigenous Brazil

Legal Amazon concentrates 19 of the 20 cities with the most indigenous communities, according to the IBGE Census

BRASÍLIA (DF) – Of the 20 municipalities with the highest number of indigenous communities in Brazil, 19 are located in the Legal Amazon, with six in Amazonas, four in Roraima and Maranhão, three in Pará, one in Mato Grosso, and one in Tocantins. This is shown by the results of the “2022 Demographic Census: Indigenous – Main characteristics of individuals and households,” released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

The IBGE defines an indigenous locality as “any place in the national territory where there is a permanent cluster of indigenous inhabitants.” In 2022, the Census identified 8,568 indigenous localities in the country, the majority concentrated in the North Region, with

5,158 (60.20%) localities, followed by the Northeast with 1,764 (20.59%), the Midwest with 1,102 localities (12.86%), the South with 308 (3.59%) records, and the Southeast with 236 (2.75%).

The State of Amazonas has the highest number of localities, with 2,571 clusters, which corresponds to 30% of the total recorded in the country. The municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, in the Upper Rio Negro, leads the number of localities, with 505 identified. It is followed by Autazes (109), Barcelos (101), Santa Isabel (97), Lábrea (89), and Atalaia do Norte (87).

The municipality of Alto Alegre in Roraima is second among the 20 with the largest number of indigenous localities, with 168 records. In third place is Jacareacanga in Pará (167), fourth is

Amarante do Maranhão (148), and fifth is Campinápolis (143) in Mato Grosso.

The State of Mato Grosso ranks second in the number of localities, with 924, or 10.78% of the total in the country. Pará comes third, with 869 (10.14%), followed by Maranhão, with 750 (8.75%).

When considering localities outside Indigenous Territory, Amazonas also leads with 1,078 identified (41.93%). Pernambuco follows in second place, with 237 (56.97%), then Pará with 187 (21.52%), Ceará with 159 (79.50%), and Bahia with 138 (68.32%).

MORE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN URBAN AREAS

The Census also showed an 88.96% increase in the indigenous population

Ana Cláudia Leocádio – From Cenarium

Indigenous people on the Legal Amazon map

Credit: Composition of Paulo Dutra CENARIUM | Fernando Frazão | Agência Brasil

in the country, growing from 896,917 people in 2010 to 1,694,836 individuals in 2022. Of this total, 1,227,642 identified as indigenous by race or color, while 467,194 self-declared as such. Of the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities, 4,833 have an indigenous population.

One striking finding in the survey was the increase in the proportion of indigenous people living in urban areas, which reached 53.97%, totaling 914,746 people in 2022. In the 2010 Census, this urban contingent was 36.2% (324,834 people), compared to 63.78% (572,083 people) in rural areas, according to explanations from IBGE technicians during the online presentation of the results.

According to the technicians, between one Census and the next, in addition to improvements in the IBGE’s data collection tools, there was also an increase in the indigenous population, both urban and rural, as well as a rise in the number of self-declarations of indigenous identity.

“The State of Amazonas stands out, where 59 (95.16%) of the 62 municipalities, which house almost one-third of the indigenous population in the country, experienced a decline in the rural population percentage,” states the IBGE. In Roraima, 11 out of 15 municipalities also saw a reduction in this population, while Acre experienced a decrease in 15 of the 22 municipalities in the state.

In total, 13 Federation Units registered the majority of the indigenous population living in urban areas. The State of Goiás registered the highest percentages, with 95.52%, followed by Rio de Janeiro (94.59%) and the Federal District (91.84%). The states with the highest proportions of indigenous people residing in rural areas were Mato Grosso (82.66%), Maranhão (79.54%), and Tocantins (79.05%).

The IBGE also identified indigenous people living both inside and outside demarcated lands. Of the 8.5 thousand indigenous localities recorded, “6,130 (71.55%) were located in declared, homologated, regularized, or designated as indigenous reserves on the Census reference date, while 2,438 (28.45%) were located outside these areas.”

The largest contingents of indigenous people living outside declared, homologated, regularized, or designated as indigenous reserves were recorded in the South, Southeast, and Northeast regions.

The South Region recorded the highest percentage, 47.4%, where 146 of the 308 localities in the region fit this situation. According to the institute’s technicians, this reflects delays in the processes of regularizing these territories. According to the 2022 Census, in the State of Rio

Grande do Sul, this index reached 58.93% of the indigenous population living outside their lands.

This migration also occurs in the states of the North Region, though on a smaller scale, according to the IBGE, especially in municipalities along the Amazon River Basin and surrounding the Cuiabá-Belém and Belém-Brasília highways, which recorded major concentrations of indigenous people in urban areas.

“The 2022 Census shows that, even living in urban areas and outside their officially recognized territories, the indigenous population has less access to basic sanitation services than the rest of the country’s population”

Marta Antunes, coordinator of the IBGE Census for Indigenous and Traditional Communities.

Education and sanitation

The 2002 Census also reports a decrease in the illiteracy rate among the indigenous population from 23.40% to 15.05%. In rural areas, this rate fell from 32.16% to 20.80%, while for indigenous people in urban areas, this rate decreased from 12.29% to 10.86%.

Among indigenous people residing in regularized lands, the reduction in illiteracy rates was 11.4%, the largest identified by the IBGE, dropping from 32.3% to 20.8% from 2010 to 2022. During the same period, the illiteracy rate for the national average population dropped from 9.62% to 7%.

The IBGE also identified that, in 2022, 97.28% of the urban population in the country lived in households connected to the general water supply network or to wells, springs, or channels leading to the household. Among indigenous people living in urban areas, this percentage reached 89.92%. This means that 13.33% of the indigenous population in urban areas faced water access challenges, while the national urban population’s average was 2.72%.

The situation worsens when it comes to sanitation, as only 59.24% of the indigenous population living in urban areas and outside indigenous lands had access to this basic service in 2022. Nationally, the percentage is 83% of the population living in households connected to the general sewage network or with septic tanks or filter pits, considered adequate conditions. In terms of waste disposal, the proportion of indigenous people is 5.83%, four times higher than the national urban population rate of 1.43%.

In the assessment of Marta Antunes, coordinator of the IBGE Census for Indigenous and Traditional Communities, “traditional peoples living in remote territories, predominantly in rural areas, could not have the same percentage of access to basic sanitation as the national population average.”

“However, the 2022 Census shows that, even living in urban areas and outside their officially recognized territories, the indigenous population has less access to basic sanitation services than the rest of the country’s population,” she explained.

2.571

The state of Amazonas has the highest number of settlements, with 2,571 clusters, accounting for 30% of those recorded nationwide. The municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, in the Alto Rio Negro region, leads in the number of settlements, with 505 identified.

CENSUS REFLECTS POPULATION

8.568

Total number of indigenous communities in the country

5.158 communities 2.571

4.833

914.746

1.694.836

Source: IBGE/Censo 2022

88,96%

The Census showed an 88.96% increase in the Indigenous population in Brazil, rising from 896,917 people in 2010 to 1,694,836 individuals in 2022.

Other findings from the 2022 Census on the indigenous population

In 2022, Brazil had about 72.5 million permanent private households, with 2.79 residents per household. The average number of residents in indigenous lands was 4.59 people. In permanent private households within indigenous lands in rural areas, this average is slightly higher: 4.63 people.

The median age of the urban indigenous population living outside indigenous lands is 32 years. Meanwhile, the median age of the rural indigenous population within indigenous lands is 18 years.

The male population exceeds the female population in several segments, reaching 106.65 men for every 100 women in rural areas outside indigenous lands. In urban areas outside indigenous lands, the sex ratio of indigenous people (89.37 men for every 100 women) is lower than the national urban population (91.97 men for every 100 women).

Indigenous children up to 5 years old living outside indigenous territory in rural areas have the second-largest proportion of registered birth records, with 96.74%, with civil registry birth records accounting for 93.33% of the registrations, and 91.97% of this subgroup’s birth records.

Credit: Reproduction

Credit: Reproduction

Credit: Reproduction Águas de Manaus

Thirst for Dignity

Access to treated water ensures rights for indigenous communities in Manaus

Maria Eduarda Furtado and Jadson Lima – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – In defense of basic rights and the search for improvements in infrastructure, indigenous peoples, such as those living in Parque das Tribos — the largest indigenous neighborhood in Brazil undergoing land regularization — located in the TarumãAçu neighborhood, West Zone of Manaus, have fought for years to gain access to treated water. The community is one of eight located in different areas of the capital of Amazonas that now have water supply service, benefiting about 11,000 people.

Eliza Sateré, one of the leaders of Parque das Tribos, says that treated water supply was a daily issue, and to carry out daily activities, residents depended on help from

outside the community. “We depended on other people’s water. I remember we would go to another community next door to get water, carrying it in buckets, in large bottles inside the car, or we had to go down to the reserve area. We would descend the slopes to use the spring water,” she says.

In addition to Parque das Tribos, where around 1,000 families from 35 ethnic groups live, other communities where indigenous people reside in urban Manaus also receive piped water through Águas de Manaus, the water utility in the city. Cenarium learned that these include the Parque das Nações Indígenas and Waikiru and Sateré communities, located in the

Tarumã and Redenção neighborhoods, in the West and Central-West Zones.

In the North Zone of the capital, about 5,100 indigenous people living in the Nova Vida and Sol Nascente communities, located in the Nova Cidade and Cidade de Deus neighborhoods, respectively, also have direct access to water from the tap. The Nova Vida community has the largest number of beneficiaries with access to water — just over 4,800 people.

Another 800 beneficiaries also have piped water in the East Zone of the city. The communities benefiting, according to the utility, are Iapoam and Aldeia São João de Tupaberaba Sununga, located in the Coliseu and Jorge Teixeira neighborhoods,

Indigenous woman and child in a community in Manaus

respectively. These figures were provided by Águas de Manaus in a statement to CENARIUM.

The service to these communities highlights that the guarantee of treated water not only reflects the need for essential services to meet the needs of all citizens but also acknowledges the dignity and health of these areas. Eliza recalls that before the arrival of potable water, the water consumed came from puddles, which had no treatment.

According to her, a fee was also charged for the houses to receive water. She further explains that meetings with leaders and the chief to demand treated water led to works for piping and distribution. The entire process took about four years.

Indigenous people from the Parque das Nações Community, in Manaus

Programs and Projects

In recent years, a series of projects and programs have been launched or proposed in municipal, state, and federal parliaments. In Manaus, initiatives have been adopted to guarantee water supply to other communities.

In 2023, the Águas de Manaus Tarifa Zero program granted a R$10 tariff reduction on water and sewage bills for women heads of households; women victims of domestic violence; people aged 60 and over; families with children up to 12 years old; families receiving the Continuous Cash Benefit (BPC) as their main source of income; and families residing in precarious housing areas.

In addition to this initiative, the National Program for Access to Potable Water in Indigenous Territories (Pnati) was launched in 2022 to provide access to treated water in indigenous communities. The project aims to improve quality control and water supply, aiming to reach 95% of the indigenous population over the next 20 years.

A proposal is also being discussed in the Federal Senate that establishes guidelines for basic sanitation in rural areas, traditional communities, and indigenous peoples. In 2023, the Human Rights Commission (CDH) approved the substitute bill, an alternative text authored by Senator Weverton (PDT-MA).

de Manaus

11.7 k

Approximately 11,700 indigenous people living in urban communities in Manaus have access to piped water service, according to the utility Águas de Manaus.

“We had to pay a fee, for example, of R$30, R$50 per month, so they could put water in our tanks, in our buckets, and that went on for about three or four years, until piped water came. It was when the leaders gathered and demanded that we get water for our homes,” Eliza reports.

Data from the Instituto Trata Brasil shows that Manaus improved its ranking in Brazil’s sanitation index. Over the past five years, the city has made progress. In 2018, the city ranked 96th. Five years later, in 2023, it rose 13 positions, reaching 83rd place in the ranking.

Eliza Sateré is an indigenous leader in Manaus

Map showing communities benefited by Águas de Manaus

Despite these advances, data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) show that nearly half of the indigenous population faced a lack of regular water supply systems. Data from the period also indicated that 61.1% of indigenous people living in private households dealt with at least one situation of precariousness or lack of sanitation related to water distribution.

ASSISTED COMMUNITIES

Access to treated water for indigenous communities was based on research identifying these urban communities in the capital. This information was provided by the social responsibility manager and spokesperson for Águas de Manaus, Semy Ferraz.

He explained to CENARIUM that identifying the issues regarding water distribution to indigenous communities led to the identification of these areas in different parts of the city that had water supply issues.

“It was also the moment when these people got, for the first time, proof of residency. As vulnerable communities, all families were also registered for one of the company’s Social Tariffs,” says Ferraz.

The manager also emphasized that the interventions in the communities respect their culture. “Even if not recognized by Funai, we have a whole policy of relationship building,” he highlights.

Ferraz suggests that the company’s previous policies may have hindered the regularization of access to treated water. “They didn’t have formalized access to water. It was a clandestine process,” he says. According to him, currently, “where there are people who have lived for a long time and the public authorities have not removed them, we will regularize the water,” he stresses.

Currently, Águas de Manaus maintains direct contact with representatives of the assisted communities through the Afluentes program. According to a statement, “from there, the company develops social activities to serve this population.” The utility highlighted the services provided to residents, mentioning an exhibition on sanitation.

Parque das Tribos

Parque das Tribos is the largest indigenous neighborhood in Brazil undergoing land regularization and is located in the Tarumã neighborhood in the West Zone of Manaus. The community started to form gradually in the 1980s through the union of João Diniz from the Baré ethnic group and Raimunda da Cruz Ribeiro from the Kokama ethnic group, who came from the Médio Rio Solimões region, near the town of Tefé, in search of medical care, work and education. Soon after, other indigenous people arrived.

However, it was only on April 14, 2014, under the leadership of the then-chief Messias Kokama, with the support of the chief Lutana Kokama, daughter of the couple, that the Parque das Tribos community was founded. According to geographers Luiz de Freitas and Ivani de Faria, in the article “Parque das Tribos: territorialization, conflicts and the construction of an urban indigenous territory in the Tarumã area of the city of Manaus – AM,” the occupation of the land occurred gradually, and April 2014 marks the development of actions such as the construction of homes and the appropriation of urban land.

They also explain that the occupation started from the Cristo Rei community

and, as it was not possible to accommodate other families in the area, the indigenous leaders requested information about the land where Parque das Tribos is located today. Data from the State Department of Land Policy (SPF), the Institute of Lands of Amazonas (Iteam), and other agencies revealed that the land was vacant, meaning public land without designation by the government, which had never been part of any private property. Therefore, the community was founded on April 14, 2014.

In its ten years of existence, the Parque das Tribos community faced eviction requests that ultimately had favorable outcomes for the indigenous people. After the death of Messias, due to complications from Covid-19, Lutana took over leadership, guiding the indigenous people in their territorial claims. Today, the community hosts more than 1,000 families from 35 ethnic groups under the leadership of the chief.

The report contacted the Coordination of Indigenous Peoples of Manaus and Surroundings (Copime) to understand the processes of claiming access to water treatment and availability in indigenous communities. There was no response by the time this report was published.

Residents of an indigenous community in Manaus receive treated water

Credit: Reproduction Águas De Manaus

Silent Threat

Drop in STI notifications in Roraima concerns authorities

Ian Vitor Freitas – From Cenarium

BOA VISTA (RR) – The state of Roraima saw a reduction in cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to information from the STI/AIDS Control Unit of the Roraima Health Department (Sesau). These figures raise concerns for public health, as it is suspected that infected individuals may not have sought health services for proper diagnosis.

Epidemiological reports on HIV and AIDS released in 2023, for instance, show an approximate decrease of 50 reported cases. In 2023, there were 554 reported cases of patients with HIV or AIDS, while in 2024, the number dropped to 500, according to Sesau.

The health department reported that since January 2024, there have been 334 confirmed cases of HIV and 166 cases of

Roraima saw a decrease in cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in 2024 compared to the previous year

Credit: Composição Weslley Santos Cenarium

“Comparing 2024 to 2023, we observed a significant reduction in the number of cases, which worries us greatly. One hypothesis is that people are not seeking Basic Health Units for proper diagnosis and treatment”

Jacqueline Voltolini, manager of the STI/ AIDS Control Unit of Roraima.

AIDS (manifested disease). Among pregnant women, 100 new HIV cases were reported. Meanwhile, six cases of AIDS were reported in children, where transmission generally occurs vertically, from mother to child.

According to Jacqueline Voltolini, manager of the STI/AIDS Control Unit, the significant reduction in reported STI cases in Roraima is concerning.

“Comparing 2024 to 2023, we observed a significant reduction in the number of cases, which worries us greatly. One hypothesis is that people are not seeking Basic Health Units for proper diagnosis and treatment. STIs can gradually lead to complications, such as penile or cervical cancer, and even infertility,” she said.

Voltolini also pointed out that another reason for the decrease in reported cases

might be the availability of STI treatments sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Additionally, those diagnosed often feel ashamed to seek help, which exacerbates the issue.

“There is fear and prejudice surrounding STIs, so people avoid seeking help. In some cases, symptoms do not appear immediately, and when they do, they may disappear within 7 to 15 days, only to reappear later in a more severe form. If you experience any symptoms, such as discharge, itching, sores, lesions, or warts, seek medical services for proper treatment,” she emphasized.

PREVENTION AND CARE

Preventive measures are available in all health clinics across Roraima's 15 municipalities, including male and female condoms and the preventive therapy Pre-Ex-

posure Prophylaxis (PrEP). According to Sesau, self-care is essential for controlling the disease, as is taking a rapid test, which is key to ensuring quality of life.

“Over the years, we have made great progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of STIs. The most crucial measure remains the use of male and female condoms. Regardless of sexual activity or partner, condoms are still the most effective method of prevention. Additionally, we have vaccines, such as those for HPV and hepatitis, as well as diagnostic tools that also serve as a form of prevention,” Voltolini highlighted.

In Roraima, STIs affect various groups, regardless of gender, race or education level. However, infections are more common among younger people, particularly those aged 15 to 29.

Jacqueline Voltolini, Manager of the STI/AIDS Control Unit

Credit: Personal Archive

Brutal crime

Federal Government deploys National Force to Amazonas after Indigenous woman's murder

Adrisa de Góes – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – The federal government deployed agents of the National Public Security Force (FNSP) to the municipality of Barcelos (399 kilometers from Manaus), Amazonas, after Rosimar Santos de Oliveira, a 48-year-old Indigenous woman from the Baré ethnicity, was raped and murdered. Her body was found on January 3. In a statement sent to CENARIUM, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) explained that the mobilization occurred due to the “need for pacification and preservation of public order amidst tensions involving the Yanomami and Baré ethnic groups.” The operation was initiated on January 4.

“The FNSP personnel arrived in the region on the same day to reinforce security

and ensure the protection of communities and public property. For strategic reasons and to preserve the safety of the agents and population, the number of mobilized personnel will not be disclosed,” said part of the statement sent to the outlet on January 6.

The agents are supporting the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai) and local security forces, following a request from the Roraima State Government Office.

“Since then, the National Force has been working in cooperation with Funai, Indigenous leaders, the Civil Police, the Military Police, the Municipal Guard and the Brazilian Army. Coordination meetings were held to align efforts in investigating the crime and to promote dialogue and

stabilization of the local situation, which is now considered under control,” stated the MJSP.

Speaking to CENARIUM, the Amazonas Civil Police (PC-AM) reported that a police inquiry has been opened to “investigate the crimes of rape and murder against an Indigenous woman.” According to the PC-AM, individuals have already been interviewed, and measures are underway to locate the suspects. The case remains confidential.

UNDERSTANDING THE CASE

An Indigenous woman from the Baré ethnicity, identified as Rosimar Santos de Oliveira, 48, was raped and murdered on January 3 in Barcelos. According to information shared with CENARIUM by her

Agents of the National Public Security Force

Credit: Fábio Rodrigues Pozzebom | Agência Brasil

family, the suspects recorded the crime and the footage has been circulating on messaging apps.

Rosimar, a member of the Indigenous Association of Barcelos (Abisa), was found dead on a property located on Vereador José Basílio Street, near the General Hospital of Barcelos, in the central area of the munici-

pality. Her body showed signs of rape and violence, as confirmed by her family.

Following the case’s widespread attention, Rosimar’s family called for a protest demanding justice for her murder. The demonstration, held on January 5, gathered many participants, starting at the headquarters of the Barcelos Indigenous Association (Asiba).

“The FNSP personnel arrived in the region on the same day to reinforce security and ensure the protection of communities and public property”

Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), in a statement.

Protesters carried signs with messages such as “We Demand Justice for Rosimar.”

After marching through the town’s streets, the protest stopped in front of the Antônio de Lucena Bittencourt Justice Forum building and ended at the headquarters of the 75th Interactive Police Station (DIP) in Barcelos.

Police investigates and make arrests

Thais Matos – From Cenarium MANAUS (AM) – By January 8, Indigenous individuals Klesio Aprueteri Yanomami, 26, and a 17-year-old adolescent, both from the Yanomami ethnicity, were being sought by the Amazonas Civil Police (PCAM) for the gang rape and femicide of Rosimar Santos de Oliveira. Details of the investigation were presented during a press conference at the Civil Police headquarters in Manaus.

The deputy general director of PC-AM, Guilherme Torres, urged the public not to share the footage of the crime circulating in messaging app groups. “We ask people not to share this video, considering the victim has family members. So, do not spread it,” he emphasized.

Torres also revealed that one of the suspects had previously committed another rape in a different state, worsening the situation’s severity.

During the press conference, Paulo Mavignier, director of the Department of Interior Police (DPI), reinforced the importance of reporting channels for public assistance in investigations and preventing similar cases.

“We rely on Hotline 100 for reports of sexual abuse against children, 190 for direct contact with the Military Police, and 181. Additionally, there is an extensive protection network, including schools, hospitals, and child protection councils, where complaints can be filed. All these entities are united to safeguard our children and women and to change the reality of our state,” Mavignier stressed.

ARRESTS

On January 7, Sirrico Aprueteri Yanomami, 19, was arrested for direct involvement in the crime. Sandoval Aprueteri Yanomami, whose age was not disclosed, was also detained for aiding the suspects’ escape. The arrests took place in the Cumaru Community, in the Médio Rio Negro region, rural Barcelos, according to John Castilho, head of the 75th Interactive Police Station (DIP) in Barcelos.

After the crime, the perpetrators attempted to hide. Two of them managed to escape, while Sirrico was apprehended. According to the police, Sandoval Aprueteri Yanomami helped Sirrico attempt to return to his home community, but the authorities captured him beforehand.

All suspects will be charged with gang rape and femicide. Sandoval will also face charges for aiding and abetting. They will undergo custody hearings and remain at the disposal of justice.

DETAILS OF THE CRIME

The police reported that three perpetrators were identified, but emphasized that other individuals, while not directly involved in the rape, were witnesses to the crime.

“Through the investigation, we clarified the events and identified those directly involved in the crimes, those who witnessed it, and those who tried to assist the victim. Some Indigenous people attempted to help the woman but, unfortunately, were unable to prevent the crime due to the extreme violence used by the perpetrators,” explained Castilho.

According to Castilho, the criminals met the victim during New Year’s festivities in the region. “When she was returning home, she was approached. She tried to resist the attempted rape but was stabbed, and the perpetrators carried out the crime,” he detailed.

Rosimar Santos de Oliveira, an Indigenous woman from the Baré ethnicity, was assaulted and murdered in Barcelos. Her body was found on January 3

Credit: Reproduction Personal Archive Composition of Paulo Dutra | CENARIUM

Indigenous people under attack

New attack against the Avá-Guarani leaves four injured

Thais Matos – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) reported another attack on the Avá-Guarani Indigenous People of the Tekoha Guasu Guavirá Indigenous Territory (IT), located between Guaíra and Terra Roxa in western Paraná, via social media on the night of January 4. According to the organization, the attack left four people injured, aged 7, 14, 25, and 28. They were taken to Bom Jesus Hospital in Toledo. No details about the victims' conditions were available at the time of publication.

“We are surrounded right now. Shots are being fired from all sides,” reported Indigenous leaders in a message sent to Apib and shared on social media that day.

The report states that the Avá-Guarani people have been targeted by violent actions from non-Indigenous individuals dissatisfied with the Indigenous people's efforts to reclaim their traditional territories. The attacks persist despite the presence of the National Force in the region and have been occurring since December 29, 2024.

APPEAL

Apib has appealed to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) and the Judiciary Branch to intervene and stop the attacks against the Indigenous people in the region. According to the Indigenous Missionary Council (Cimi), since the start of the violence, an Indigenous man was

shot in the arm on December 31, and an Indigenous woman suffered burns on her neck on December 30. Additionally, huts and crops were set on fire, leaving families homeless and without access to food or drinking water.

The first attack, reported on December 29, occurred unexpectedly when individuals set fire to vegetation and crops, burned huts, fired firearms, and launched explosives at the community.

In a manifesto titled "S.O.S Aldeia Yvy Okaju is at Risk of Extermination," released on November 23 of last year, the Avá-Guarani had already warned of constant threats. “We received a message that on December

Indigenous people bleeding after being shot

Credit: Reproduction Apib

25, 2024, the non-Indigenous people are organizing to carry out a new attack against our community,” the document highlighted at the time.

Amid escalating tension, the MJSP authorized the permanent deployment of the National Force of Public Security in the region in December. However, Indigenous organizations consider the military’s actions ineffective.

HISTORICAL CONFLICT

The conflict in the area has historical roots dating back to the construction of the Itaipu Binational Hydroelectric Dam, which displaced the Avá-Guarani from their lands to make way for the project. Today, the community continues to fight to reclaim its ancestral lands, facing constant resistance and violence.

From Cenarium*

Reinforcement in security

Indigenous Land were shot during an armed attack on the communities.

The Federal Court has ordered federal and Paraná state governments to immediately increase police protection for Indigenous communities in the cities of Guaíra and Terra Roxa in western Paraná, near Brazil's border with Paraguay.

The expansion of Federal Police, National Force and Military Police personnel was ordered by federal judge Pedro Pimenta Bossi from the 3rd Federal Court of Umuarama (PR) on January 5.

The decision was prompted by a request from the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) and the Public Defender's Office (DPU) and was issued two days after four residents of the Tekoha Guasu Guavirá

Among the victims of the attack carried out by unidentified men was a child shot in one leg. One Indigenous man had his jaw pierced by a bullet, another was shot in the back, and a fourth victim was also injured in the leg.

The Federal Police (PF) have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the attack that injured the four Indigenous people. In a statement, the state PF superintendent informed Agência Brasil that “various actions” are underway and that “evidence already collected remains confidential to avoid compromising the investigation.”

*With information from Agência Brasil.

Avá-Guarani Indigenous People

Credit: Reproduction | Lizely Borges

The Grandmothers

Roger Adan Chambi Mayta

W–e can’t just walk any way we like, son. You have to say "hello" and ask the mountain for permission. Good morning, grandmother. I’m going to cross through your territory. Please look after me. That’s what you need to say.

I was five years old, walking with my mother toward the potato fields located near the top of the mountain. The cold of the nine o’clock morning air burned my reddened cheeks, which had begun to crack. Is there really a grandmother inside the earth? I wondered as I greeted the mountain aloud, following my mother’s instructions.

– If you don’t greet her, if you don’t ask for permission, you might step where lightning has struck and get sick. You could also fall, and your ajayu might escape. That’s why it’s very important to say hello.

– But, Mama, how do I know where the grandmother is inside the mountain so I can greet her? I’m afraid I’ll step on her and hurt her.

The innocence of my early city years made me think of the mountain and the grandmother as separate things. A grandmother, to me, had the face, the hands, the braids, the skirt, and the shawl of Doña Francisca Mamani, my mother’s mother, my grandmother, who always spoiled me with abundant food. A mountain, on the other hand, was a collection of rocks and soil with beautiful scenery, animals, and difficult access to its peak.

– No, son, the grandmother is the entire mountain. Right now, we’re walking on her. That’s why we’ve brought coca leaves and

alcohol for her to chew and drink. She takes care of us and ensures we never lack food.

We were halfway there. This time, the edges of my lips were starting to crack open, but I felt comforted knowing the sun was getting closer to us. As we quickened our pace, I tried to incorporate my mother’s new teachings with her older ones.

– So, Mama, does the mountain get hungry and thirsty like us? And does she cry too, like the potato? Do you remember when you once told me not to hurt the potato during harvest because it cries?

– Of course, son. Potatoes, oca, quinoa, and many other crops are the grandmother’s children. That’s why they feel, why they nourish us so well, why we must care for them and be grateful for their yield. The mountain is alive. Sometimes she’s thirsty, sometimes she’s hungry. Sometimes she may be sad, and other times she may be happy.

In my tender years, every word, every detail my mother told me became etched in my mind as almost surreal scenes. I imagined a great mountain with a huge appetite; I imagined the holes made by chinchillas as the grandmother’s eyes, the large water reservoir as her mouth, and the lush vegetation as her hair. A mountain that lives, that feels, that protects us.

– All these are the grandmother’s gifts, son. Do you remember that river near our house where we put the potatoes to make tunta? That water is the grandmother’s love.

Little by little, I began to understand the vitality that surrounded me—the importance of respect and care for the grandmother’s gifts. I confess that I felt a little

afraid as I learned how to relate to the mountain, to the crops, to the river. I feared being disrespectful, angering the mountain.

– Mama, what happens if we forget to greet her, to give her food and drink? Does she punish us?

– If we forget her, we’ll have droughts. The little animals might die or get sick. Forgetting her is the worst punishment we can give to our grandmothers.

– Our grandmothers? Are there many?

– Every mountain is a grandmother, son!

– But how did they come to be?

For every question, there was always an answer. My mother knew what she was saying because that’s how she had learned from her mother, and her mother from her grandmother, and so on, generation after generation. With her voice labored from the climb, my mother, Doña Hilda Mayta Mamani, told me, about six hundred steps from the potato field, the origin of the grandmothers:

– A very long time ago, the first men and women lived in darkness. They didn’t know light; they were very different beings from us. The creatures who inhabited this land were hybrids of different species. There were beings with human bodies and the faces of pumas or condors, with wings and serpent eyes. Some had llama legs and plant arms. They were beings who could fly and burrow into the earth. Some were giants, and others very small. They were the ch’ullpas, the first people of the earth.

At some point, a rumor arose that new living beings would come to this world, beings with a brightness never before seen. It was said these new beings would come

from the West. Because of this, everyone built their houses with doors facing East, to protect themselves. However, the bright light came from the East of the land, and along with the light, a pair of humans appeared, like we are now. The ch’ullpas saw their own bodies for the first time and were afraid of the light. They hid: some in the skies, others in rivers and lakes, others underground, and many were paralyzed and turned to stone, becoming mountains.

– This mountain we’re walking on now, son, and the others you see here, were seven sisters from that time. It’s said they had vicuña eyes and very thick braids. They stayed together and never separated, even though the sun scared them at first. Once they became mountains, they learned to live with the sun and the new humans, forming a bond of respect and care. These mountains have been the protectors and owners of this land since the time of the ch’ullpas. They’ve seen many lives pass through here; they are ancient and eternal. That’s why we call them grandmothers. That’s why we entrust them with our food and care.

When she finished her story, we finally reached the potato fields. The sun warmed our faces. I tried to imagine how those first beings might have felt when they saw the light and recognized themselves as they truly were. As I write these lines, I think about how the rays of that sun made me discover myself as well. I realized I was part of a world that included other worlds we needed to respect and thank. From that moment on, I felt my life improved as I became aware that, beyond my mother’s protection, I also had the care and protection of my mountain grandmothers.

(*) Aymara lawyer from Bolivia. Doctoral candidate in the Postgraduate Program in Agrarian Law at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Master’s in Latin American Studies from the Federal University for Latin American Integration (Unila). He works as a researcher and legal consultant, addressing issues related to legal critique, Indigenous justice, plurinational states, agrarian environmental law, Indigenous political movements, and media. He is part of the Collective for Latin American Studies of Barcelona (Celab).

Disinformation: Meta x Brasil

The decision by the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to end its fact-checking policy sparks backlash from the Lula administration

Ana Cláudia Leocádio – From Cenarium

BRASÍLIA (DF) – The announcement of the end of the fact-checking policy by Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, had a negative impact on the Esplanade of Ministries in Brasília (DF), with government ministers under Lula's administration voicing their opposition. The decision also reignited

debates over the future of the Fake News Bill, under consideration in Congress since 2020, and the importance of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) ruling on the constitutionality of Article 19 of the Internet Civil Rights Framework.

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced on January 7 the termination of the Third-Party Fact-Checking Program (3PFC). Created in 2016, this system relied on independent fact-checking agencies certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).

In Brazil, the program began in 2018, supported by agencies like Lupa, one of the country’s most respected in fact-checking work. Now, Meta is expected to adopt the same model as X (formerly Twitter), based

on collaborative contributions known as “Community Notes.”

In a statement released on January 7, Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Vice President for Global Affairs, said that the 3PFC phase-out would begin in the United States, with no current plans for expansion to other countries.

“As we transition, we will stop reducing the distribution of fact-checked content and, instead of showing full-screen warnings requiring clicks to access the post, we will use a less intrusive label, indicating there’s additional information available for those who wish to see it,” Kaplan stated.

REACTIONS

Attorney General Jorge Messias was the first to publicly oppose Meta’s measures,

President Lula and Meta

CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Credit: Composition of Paulo Dutra | Cenarium

“What we want, in truth, is for every country to have its sovereignty respected. One or two individuals cannot think they can undermine the sovereignty of a nation”

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil.

Credit: Reproduction Social Media

speaking to O Globo newspaper. He advocated for the creation of a new legal framework to regulate social media in Brazil.

“Meta has decided to focus on expanding its business model. Unfortunately, since the company’s algorithms are secret, this choice is likely to worsen the informational disorder in a digital ecosystem already grappling with significant challenges related to the spread of fake news and hate speech,” Messias said.

On January 9, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced he would hold a meeting to discuss Meta’s new policies. “What we want, in truth, is for every country to have its sovereignty respected. One or two individuals cannot think they can undermine the sovereignty of a nation,” Lula said at the Palácio do Planalto during a visit to the recently reopened gallery of former presidents located on the building’s ground floor.

“I find it extremely serious that people want digital communication to lack the same responsibility as those who commit crimes in print media. It’s as if someone could be punished for something in real life but not be held accountable for doing the same thing in the digital realm,” Lula added.

The Secretary of Digital Policies for the federal government, João Brant, took to social media to claim that Zuckerberg’s announcement “anticipates the start of

Projects under consideration in Congress

As of 2020, according to the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, 50 bills addressing the fight against fake news were under consideration. That year alone, 21 proposals were introduced.

The most prominent is Bill No. 2,630/2020, authored by Senator Alessandro Vieira (MDB-SE), which proposes the Brazilian Law of Internet Freedom, Responsibility and Transparency, also known as the “Fake News Bill.” The text introduces regulations to combat online misinformation, hold platforms accountable, and ensure oversight and sanctions.

Approved by the Senate in 2020, the bill has been stalled in the Chamber of Deputies since July of that year. On May 5, 2023, it was sent for review by the Committees on Communication, Finance and Taxation, and Constitution and Justice. However, in April 2024, Chamber President Arthur Lira (PP-AL) announced that Deputy Orlando Silva’s (PCdoB-SP) report would not be put to a floor vote, citing the formation of a working group to analyze the proposal. No progress has been made as of the publication of this article.

Lira argued that Silva’s draft promoted censorship and infringed on freedom of

expression, sparking disagreement among lawmakers and stalling the vote.

Speaking to Congresso em Foco, Senator Alessandro Vieira argued that Zuckerberg’s actions would not hinder the progress of the Fake News Bill in Brazil. According to him, Meta’s measures are aimed at prioritizing business interests.

“Meta has never been genuinely concerned with the quality of information circulating on its platforms; its focus has always been on maximizing profits. Zuckerberg only cares about the profitability of his companies, not about freedom of expression or mental health,” Vieira stated.

Congresswoman Erika Kokay (PT-DF) introduced Bill No. 2,051/2024, which criminalizes the production, dissemination, or sharing of fake news on issues of significant public interest, such as health, education, the environment, public safety, and the national economy.

The proposal includes penalties of six months to three years in prison, plus fines, for those who produce, disseminate, or share false information that significantly alters or distorts the truth on issues of significant public relevance.

A smartphone screen displays social media apps

“In short, Facebook and Instagram will become platforms that completely prioritize individual freedom of expression while ceasing to protect other individual and collective rights. This reprioritization of ‘civic discourse’ amounts to an open invitation to far-right activism”

João Brant, secretary of Digital Policies at the federal government.

Trump’s government and makes clear Meta’s alliance with the U.S. government against the European Union, Brazil, and other countries that seek to protect online rights.”

According to Brant, Meta’s stance reflects the belief that such efforts “promote censorship.” He warned, “In short, Facebook and Instagram will become platforms that completely prioritize individual freedom of expression while ceasing to protect other individual and collective rights. This reprioritization of ‘civic discourse’ amounts to an open invitation to far-right activism.”

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, speaking to Globonews, stated that Brazil has already experienced severe consequences due to the spread of fake news, dating back to 2018 and culminating in the January 8, 2023, attacks.

Brazil's Attorney General, Jorge Messias

Credit: Renato Menezes AsocmAGU

“The economy will thrive, but we must safeguard our democracy, our institutions, and the integrity of individuals and the information being disseminated”

Fernando Haddad, minister of Finance.

“The economy will thrive, but we must safeguard our democracy, our institutions, and the integrity of individuals and the information being disseminated to prevent panic and the rise of extremist ideologies that threaten our individual freedoms and social peace,” Haddad concluded.

CONGRESSWOMAN CALLS IT A SOVEREIGNTY ATTACK

Federal Congresswoman Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP) criticized Meta’s decision on X on the morning of January 8. She stated, “The company’s update to its moderation policies is a direct attack on the sovereignty of countries that have stood against the arbitrariness of social media platforms, which are increasingly becoming free zones for the far right and for rights and democracies to be violated.”

“As researcher Marie Santini from NetLab pointed out, it’s not Latin American countries that have ‘secret courts,’ as Mark Zuckerberg claimed. It’s social media platforms that have secret tribunals, due to their lack of transparency regarding their moderation teams, rules, and moderation criteria,” Hilton said.

In her view, “Zuckerberg’s pro-Trump shift only reinforces the need for a process that has already been undertaken in many parts of the world: social media regulation in Brazil.”

Former Belo Horizonte mayoral candidate Duda Salabert announced on January 8 that she would file a lawsuit against Meta to block the implementation of the new measures in Brazil.

“I’ve also sent a letter to Minister Alexandre de Moraes so we can debate the

issue. The depathologization of LGBTQ+ identities was a hard-won achievement born of historical struggles, and we will not accept backsliding! No foreign company is above science, our history, our fight, or our national laws and sovereignty!” Salabert declared on X. She referred to the possibility that the new policy could allow posts linking LGBTQ+ individuals to “mental illness.”

Supreme Court to Resume Case in 2025

The plenary of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) is expected to resume this year the trial of Theme 987 of general repercussion, which discusses the constitutionality of Article 19 of Law No. 12,965/2014, which establishes the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet. The article mandates a prior court order for content removal, holding internet providers civilly liable for damages resulting from unlawful acts committed by third parties. The case was brought by Facebook and involves the creation of a fake profile on the social network.

Three of the 11 justices have already voted in the trial, which involves two Extraordinary Appeals (RE). The rapporteur of RE No. 1037396, Justice Dias Toffoli, deemed Article 19 unconstitutional, arguing that it grants immunity to platforms. He proposed that liability be based on Article 21, which provides for content removal through a simple notification.

Justice Luiz Fux, the rapporteur of RE No. 1.057.258, also declared the provision unconstitutional, stating that it grants civil immunity to platforms, which can only be held liable if they fail to comply with a court decision.

STF President, Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, partially dissented, suggesting liability models that do not imply strict liability for platforms. He also considered Article 19 partially unconstitutional.

Justice André Mendonça requested a review in December 2024, suspending the trial. The matter is expected to resume after the Judiciary's recess, starting in February.

Federal Deputy Erika Hilton (PSol-SP)

Credit: Reproduction

Celebration of Amazonian Literature

Valer Theater, a new multicultural space in Manaus

Marcela Leiros – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – Located across from Manaus’ most iconic landmark, the Amazon Theatre, the Valer Theater stands as the city’s newest multicultural venue. Opened to the public on December 8, 2024, it is situated at Rua José Clemente, No. 608, in the downtown, in the South Zone of Manaus.

The idea for this space began on a smaller scale, intending to serve as the new headquarters of Valer Publishing. However,

Valer Theater was inaugurated on December 8, 2024

Credit: Disclosure

it evolved into a multifunctional hub, now featuring a bookstore, cafe, restaurant, event space and even a news portal (https://portaldolargo.com.br/). All of this is located in the heart of the city’s primary tourist area, as Valer’s director, Isaac Maciel, explained to CENARIUM.

“This idea grew over time. What began as just a publishing house expanded into a bookstore, and from there, a café. Then it became a space for a restaurant, gallery, event venue, and a news portal to consolidate our agenda—because we have published over 2,000 works about the Amazon,” he explained.

A REVIVAL OF STREET BOOKSTORES

According to Maciel, the reopening of Editora Valer’s bookstore, after being closed for seven years, marks a resurgence of the once-declining street bookstore market. For nearly two decades, large “mega-

“I believe that other bookstores will emerge in this new wave, where booksellers are closer to readers”

Isaac Maciel, Valer’s director.

store” bookstores dominated the market, overshadowing smaller establishments. However, these smaller bookstores have begun to thrive once again by forging closer connections with their readers.

“I believe that other bookstores will emerge in this new wave, where booksellers are closer to readers. This creates a unique dynamic—me, as a bookseller, along with our salespeople, who know the customers,

the teachers, the people who frequent [these street bookstores],” Maciel added.

AMAZONIAN LITERATURE

Another goal of the project is to provide the public with a deeper understanding of the Amazon and its authors, as detailed by Valer’s editorial coordinator, Neiza Teixeira. The publishing house has over 2,000 titles about the region.

“One of our main goals, aligned with our commitment to the people of Amazonas, is to publish the Amazons. It’s not just about publishing ‘the Amazon’—there are many Amazons within the Amazon. Today, without a doubt, we are the largest publishing house in Northern Brazil,” she emphasized.

A RICH HISTORY

Editora Valer was founded in 1991 in Manaus, during a time when the University of Amazonas was thriving. However, both students and professors lacked access to books that could enhance their knowledge and to cultural activities that would foster intellectual growth. This need motivated journalist Isaac Maciel to venture into the publishing industry.

With over 2,000 published titles, Valer’s catalog features works such as Poranduba Amazonense by João Barbosa Rodrigues, Os Estatutos do Homem by Thiago de Mello, Frauta de Barro by Luiz Bacellar, Barro Verde by Elson Farias, and Intramuros by Astrid Cabral. For young readers, the publisher offers books set in Amazonian landscapes, aiming to cultivate a sense of belonging and strengthen Amazonian identity.

Valer Bookstore operates inside the Café Theater

Credit: Luiz

André Nascimento

Year of Xangô and Iansã

Orixás will reign over 2025; See Predictions

Adrisa De Góes – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – The year 2025 will be marked by the influence of two significant orixás from Afro-Brazilian traditions, known as the “couple of dendê oil”: Xangô, associated with justice and balance, and Iansã, the orixá of winds and storms. Representing a powerful natural force, the reign of these deities promises a year of intense transformations and important decisions, both personal and collective, according to predictions from babalorixás (spiritual leaders, also known as “Fathers of Saints”) consulted by CENARIUM

Their reign is determined through numerology, based on the sum of the year’s digits, and by the mérìndilogún (cowrie shell divination), an oracle used for centuries as a tool to foresee the future and protect practitioners and devotees of the

orixás. This sacred practice offers guidance on the best paths to take and, according to religious leaders, helps avoid adverse situations while strengthening spiritual connections.

In an interview, the Brasília-based babalorixá Ronald de Oxóssi explained that, in addition to the influence of the couple of dendê, the deity Odu Ossá will also play a role. Odu Ossá represents achievements and spans numerous dimensions of life, whether positive or negative. With intensity, it propels individuals to achieve their most desired goals.

“Ossá is an Odu from the Ifá oracle, represented in the mérìndilogún by nine open shells and seven closed ones. Those governed by this Odu are explosive, intense;

they set the house on fire and then rush to put it out,” the spiritual leader explained.

According to Father Ronald, Odu Ossá is governed by Iansã, Iemanjá, Obá, and Obaluaê and he describes this Odu as “very fiery.”

“It will be a year to resolve many aspects of life for those in need. Romantic issues will be settled; many things will come to a resolution. Either it ends or it continues—there will be no middle ground. It will be a very direct year,” emphasized the babalorixá.

CHANGES AND FINANCES

In an interview, Thiago de Oxumare, president of the Umbanda Association Pai João e Baiano Severino in Ponte de Lima,

Representative image of the orixás Xangô and Iansã

Portugal, stated that the year’s reign will be marked by justice and changes, particularly in the political realm. He also warned about the intensification of wars.

“This will be a year when we need to remain alert, especially spiritually. We must take care of our spirituality and seek faith, no matter the religion,” highlighted the spiritual leader.

Despite the warnings, he affirmed that the year will also bring positivity in financial matters and family unity. However, he emphasized the need to let go of past grudges and resentments to embrace this positivity.

About Xangô

Xangô, one of the most emblematic orixás of Afro-Brazilian traditions, is known for his virile strength, aggressive personality, and sense of justice. Representing fire and lightning, he primarily acts in matters of karmic justice—a concept that evaluates human actions throughout all lifetimes, not just the current one.

His defining traits include mercy, loyalty, and a warrior spirit, as well as the archetype of a fair conqueror. With courage, vigor, and dynamism, Xangô reflects the intensity of the element he governs, symbolizing determination and the quest for balance amidst adversity.

About Iansã

Iansã, also known as Yansã or Oyá, is the powerful orixá of climatic phenomena, associated with the strength of winds and the power of nature. Her presence is felt in moments when the sky transforms into rain and storms, reflecting her vigorous and uncontrollable energy.

A symbol of determination, independence, and feminine strength, Iansã embodies the archetype of the warrior woman. She is fearless, ready to face challenges, and willing to change her course when necessary. For those who seek her protection, Iansã offers courage and determination—essential qualities to overcome daily battles and achieve goals with perseverance and confidence.

“It will be a year to resolve many aspects of life for those in need. Romantic issues will be settled; many things will come to a resolution. Either it ends or it continues—there will be no middle ground. It will be a very direct year”

Ronald de Oxóssi, a babalorixá from Brasília.

““This will be a year when we need to remain alert, especially spiritually. We must take care of our spirituality and seek faith, no matter the religion”

Thiago de Oxumare, spiritual leader.

Cowrie shell divination

Credit: Ricardo Oliveira | Arquivo

2025: a year to recalculate priorities and live with purpose

Tiago Paiva

We are living through a rare year, a moment that doesn’t come around often. 2025 is not just another number on the calendar – it is a perfect-square year, the result of a number multiplied by itself: 45 x 45 = 2025. Just as math connects and balances numbers, this year invites us to balance our lives and savor each moment.

So why not turn this analogy into a purpose for 2025? Just as a perfect square is unique, each day of this year can be an opportunity to recalculate priorities and align our choices with what truly matters.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH: YOUR FIRST GIFT

Our body is the temple we live in, and this year is the time to value this gift more. Healthy eating, regular exercise, and moments of rest are essential. Don’t postpone taking care of your physical and mental health – after all, we can only give our best to others if we are well with ourselves.

STRENGTHEN BONDS WITH FRIENDS

2025 can be the year of reunions. Call that friend you haven’t seen in years. Plan moments together. Friendships are like the foundation of a square: solid and supportive. Don’t miss the chance to show your friends how important they are to you.

LOVE YOUR SPOUSE, LOVE YOUR CHILDREN

Love is the force that connects us and gives life meaning. In this special year, dedicate time to your family. A look, a hug, a sincere “I love you” – all these can turn ordinary days into extraordinary ones. Love your spouse as if it were the first day. Hug your children as if tomorrow weren’t guaranteed.

VALUE YOUR PARENTS WHILE YOU CAN

If your parents are still around, you have a treasure. Take time to listen to them, to repay the love they once gave you. They carry the stories that shaped who you are today.

GIVE YOUR BEST AT WORK

Work is a way to contribute to the world. Let 2025 be a year of greater dedication, learning, and impact. Make every task one of love and excellence. This not only builds your career but also reflects the care you put into your life’s mission.

MOST IMPORTANT: TIME FOR GOD

As important as everything in life is, nothing can take God’s place. This year is the perfect time to put into practice the greatest commandment: “Love God above all things.” Set aside daily moments for prayer, meditation, and reflection. By doing this, you will strengthen your spiritual foundation, something essential to face any challenge.

Just as 2025 is unique and special, so is our life. May we use this year to be better in all areas – caring for ourselves, for others, and, above all, for our relationship with God.

Happy 2025, the perfect year to love, care, live, and serve!

(*) Tiago Paiva is a publicist, former Strategic Projects Manager at the Ministry of Education, and a member of the RNP Council. He led the planning of complex projects such as “Ronda no Bairro” and Public Transportation Modernization in Manaus.