Hold the Line - Documentary - Episode 4 - Estrondo Case

The failure of the private sector to drive the systemic changes necessary to cut its links to deforestation and human rights abuses – and the harsh reality of this failure for local communities – is exemplified by the case of Agronegócio Estrondo, which is located in the soya frontier of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Estrondo operates on lands to which the land-use rights of traditional geraizeira communities have been legally recognised. Nevertheless, the communities are subject to frequent violence and harassment. Documentary footage captured during an investigation by Greenpeace Brazil shows an armed raid on one such community by a group claiming to be Bahia state police, the shooting of a cattle herder by a member of a private security force, harassment of a community member at a security checkpoint, armed patrols and security fences cutting across community lands.