️🇧🇷 Election riot in Brazil: Indigenous communities in Brazil voted in large numbers for Lula. Bolsonaro's supporters have spent years avenging them for doing so. During this last presidential campaign, things escalated considerably, with reports of political persecution, intimidation, armed attacks and killings in several indigenous territories.
In the territory of Votouro Kaingang, in Rio Grande do Sul, residents say the pro-Bolsonaro leader has punished PT voters for years, including by canceling their jobs in village schools and day care centers.
On October 13, the violence turned deadly. Alvaro Ferreira, 37, was shot and killed, allegedly by the commander, according to witnesses. Two other natives, Alexandro Brandino, 25, and Silvano Domingos Candoya, 30, were later killed during an intervention by the riot control battalion of the military police. At least 15 people were injured. A pregnant indigenous woman also went into labor amid the violence, but was reportedly prevented from leaving the area to seek medical treatment.
Her baby died before reaching the hospital.
Police say their officers came under fire, while residents dispute that account. Federal authorities are investigating the deaths.
In Mato Grosso do Sul, Guaraní Cayuba communities reported vans surrounding their territories to intimidate voters, along with assaults and assassination attempts.
After Lula's victory, a leaked audio recording attributed to a municipal employee called for the killing of indigenous PT voters by poisoning their drinking water.
The worker has reportedly been suspended, and the threats have left some communities afraid to drink water delivered by tanker trucks. Elsewhere, a Punai office in Parana was attacked with explosives, while journalists obtained recordings of ranchers discussing plans to invade indigenous territory in Parana around election day. In Yanomami territory, illegal miners reportedly began trying to recapture secret airstrips, telling residents that "Bolsonaro's son won, he's already president," despite Lula's victory being officially confirmed.