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.
Thailand urges Myanmar’s junta to free Aung San Suu Kyi — Radio Free Asia
China moves to unleash market demand for stronger growth against external uncertainties
'Taiwan Relations Act' illegal and invalid, says mainland spokeswoman
Hongjiannao National Nature Reserve in NW China's Shaanxi, sanctuary for relict gulls
FIFA plans to add slew of new committees years after cutting them in anti
Hongjiannao National Nature Reserve in NW China's Shaanxi, sanctuary for relict gulls
China, Suriname to boost relations
Sanya optimizes processes of nucleic acid testing amid latest COVID
The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits holds steady as labor market remains strong
Xi Story: Ensuring the Yellow River benefits the people
Caitlin Clark mobbed by fans at introductory Indiana Fever press conference
Overseas Chinese inspired by latest Xi