On Friday night (10), families from the Landless Rural Workers' Movement (MST) at the Olga Benário Settlement in São Paulo's countryside were attacked, resulting in two deaths and six injuries, including children and the elderly. Settlement residents reported that around 11 p.m., criminals invaded the area with cars and motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately.
The attack resulted in the deaths of Gleison Barbosa de Carvalho, 28, and Valdir do Nascimento, 52. The other victims are out of life danger.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called MST national leader Gilmar Mauro on Saturday (11) to express his condolences for the murdered workers and the five injured.
Mauro told Brasil de Fato that the president expressed his solidarity with the MST and the victims' families. He made the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the Ministries of Human Rights and Citizenship, Agrarian Development, and the Federal Police available to provide necessary assistance to the settlement and thoroughly investigate the case. “Lula stated that once authorized to fly [due to his health], he wants to visit the region,” said the MST leader.
Police arrest man accused of leading attack
The man accused of leading the attack on the MST in Tremembé, São Paulo upstate, was arrested on Saturday (11). Antonio Martins Filho, known as 'Nero do Piseiro,' is suspected to be the crime's mastermind.
Police Chief Marcos Ricardo Parra stated that the 41-year-old man confessed to the crime. “Not only has he confessed, but he is also indicating where the other participants can be found,” Parra said at a press conference.
In addition to his confession, the man was identified by hospitalized victims and witnesses. However, the motive behind the crime remains unclear. There are indications it may be related to a dispute over a plot in the settlement.
“The issue was an internal problem among settlement residents, unrelated to land invasion or protection. It was a matter of whether the land could be negotiated. So far, we haven't determined if he was the buyer or the intermediary. Either way, he was there to change people's minds,” Parra explained.
The Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming, Paulo Teixeira, commented on the attack, stating he had informed São Paulo's Secretary of Public Security to take action and ensure the criminals are punished.
This Monday (13), the São Paulo Public Security ordered the temporary arrest of the second person suspected of the attack, Ítalo Rodrigues da Silva, who is still on the run.
