Paraguayan peasants to occupy land

“There has been no proof showing that Brazilian farmers had bought that land,
therefore it belongs to the state of Paraguay,” Antonio Cabrera, a leader of the
peasants, said. “We have the legal right to recover our land,” Cabrera said. He
added that he possessed official documents authorizing him to recover a number
of ranches.

The documents were issued by the Paraguayan Institute of
Rural and Land Development (Indert), proving that the presently Brazilian-owned
properties legally belong to Paraguay. “We have made it clear that we are not
afraid of Brazilians. We urge our countrymen to join us in this defense of our
territorial sovereignty,” Cabrera said.

Paraguayans are urging the
country’s president, Fernando Lugo Mendez, to begin the agricultural reform he
promised during the presidential campaign. Paraguayan authorities are worried
that the land invasion could mar the country’s bilateral relations with Brazil,
especially when Brazilian army are performing a military exercise at the border
with Paraguay.