The peasant families located in Santa Teresa, Alto Parana department, are part of the Peasant Movement of Paraguay (MCP), member of La Via Campesina and the Latin American Coordination of Rural Organizations, CLOC.

The National Institute of Rural and Land Development (INDERT) gave them these lands four years ago, said Dalmasio Quiroga, MCP Secretary General.

Their homes and crops were destroyed in the eviction, “and the government is to blame for that”, said Dalmasio. It was reported that the lands would be returned to the supposed previous owner, Americo Rodriguez Sousa, a Brazilian landowner.

“We are denouncing the irresponsible behavior of the Paraguayan government and INDERT as the institution responsible for Agrarian Reform, who are acting according the old model when it comes to land ownership”, said the MCP in an international statement to denounce the situation in Santa Teresa.

Although the state of exception established by the Paraguayan government ended on May 24th, the peasant leader said that they are still suffering authoritarian attacks by police officers in several rural regions.

80 police officers and several members of the military participated in the eviction. The peasants decided to leave their lands in a peaceful way and settle a campsite outside the fields until a solution is reached. “We will pressure the government to give the lands back to the peasants”, concluded Dalmasio Quiroga.

Photo: MCP