SAO PAULO (AP) — President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Thursday announced the creation of two new Indigenous territories for Brazil, bringing the total number of new reserves during this term to 10.
The Cacique Fontoura reserve will be in Mato Grosso state and the Aldeia Velha territory will be in Bahia state. They will cover a combined total area of almost 132 square miles (342 square kilometers).
Speaking at a ceremony in Brasilia, Lula’s said Indigenous peoples should be patient as he seeks to fulfill his pledge of creating 14 new territories.
Lula’s predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, had encouraged widespread development of the Amazon — both legal and illegal — and made good on his pledge to not demarcate a single centimeter of additional Indigenous land.
Lula took office in 2023 pledging to change that, but Indigenous rights activists hoped he would move faster. Last year, he demarcated six territories in April and two more in September.
Wesley Bryan would rather be at Hilton Head. He's leading in the Dominican Republic
Xinhua Headlines: Xi's APEC Trip to Pilot China
Giant rice in north China to enter harvest season in October
Unfair labor complaint filed against Notre Dame over athletes
China holds conference on internet civilization
Shanghai company completes world's first delivery of 'air taxi'
Harbin creates ice sculptures of Terracotta Warriors to cater for tourists
Gardener asks social media: 'What is this weed and how do I get rid of it?'
New Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra established