Native Protesters Take Over Major Grain Terminal in Brazil Over River Concerns

Native protesters have taken control of a major U.S. grain company's port facility in Brazil, forcing workers to evacuate and halting all operations. The demonstrators are opposing government plans to dredge Amazon rivers, saying it threatens their way of life and water quality.

Native protesters have taken control of a major grain export facility owned by American company Cargill in Brazil’s Para state, forcing a complete shutdown of operations at the river port terminal, the company announced Saturday.

Workers at the private terminal were forced to leave the facility Friday night after demonstrators occupied the site, according to Cargill officials. The company stated it is working with local law enforcement to have the protesters removed “in an orderly and safe manner.”

The Santarem terminal plays a crucial role in Brazil’s agricultural exports, handling over 5.5 million metric tons of soybeans and corn in the previous year based on port industry records. That shipment volume, primarily sourced from Brazil’s Center West farming region, accounted for more than 70% of all grain moved through Santarem.

Company officials report “strong evidence of vandalism and damage to assets” has occurred at the facility during the takeover.

The dramatic escalation stems from an ongoing dispute between indigenous groups and the grain company regarding proposed river dredging projects along waterways like the Tapajos, which serve as transportation routes for agricultural products heading to international markets.

Cargill maintains it has no authority over the river dredging proposals.

The protesters had been preventing truck access to the terminal since January 22, though this caused minimal disruption to operations since most grain arrives via barge before being loaded onto export vessels.

Following their occupation of the facility, the demonstrators issued a letter calling on Brazil’s federal government to reverse a decree they claim would allow widespread dredging of Amazon waterways.

“Rivers are not export channels: they are a source of life, sustenance, memory, and identity for thousands of families,” the protesters wrote, explaining that dredging operations would harm water quality and destroy the fishing resources their communities depend on for survival.

Brazilian government officials have not yet responded to requests for comment on the occupation. Previously, authorities have defended dredging as standard practice needed to maintain river navigation during periods of low water levels.