Murder of young indigenous man brings tension to Xokleng territory and leaders ask for police presence

On Saturday afternoon (27), PF vehicles and experts went to the scene of the crime. (Photo: Reproduction, Xokleng People)

Under much tension and revolt, the body of indigenous Ariel Paliano, 26 years old, was buried this Sunday afternoon (28) in the Bonsucesso village, in Itaiópolis, in the Itajaí Valley. The young Xokleng was found dead on a dirt road, on Saturday morning (27), with signs of violence.

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At the request of the Federal Public Ministry, the case is being monitored by the Federal Police. Ariel was reportedly the victim of an ambush and murdered when he left home to shop at a grocery store. In addition to being shot, he was beaten and his body was set on fire.

— We are trying to calm people, who are terrified by the boy’s death, and asking for the presence of police in the area where the crime occurred — said Chief General Setembrino Camlem.

The request for security is through the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples, formerly Funai. The degree of violence may indicate that it is a hate crime. It also draws attention to the fact that it occurred on a day when many Xokleng were outside the territory, in Brasília, participating in a national mobilization demanding the demarcation of land.

For the leaders, it was a premeditated crime. Ariel’s mother and stepfather, as well as the general chief, were away. The information about the death occurred when the Xoklengs were already returning to Santa Catarina, on Friday night (26). According to Setembrino, the leaders are awaiting the expert report and an official position to issue a position:

— At this moment, we need to count on federal security to reassure the community. We know that the issue of the Temporal Framework has once again brought tension to indigenous people across the country.

Setembrino recalled that a few days ago, due to reports of threats and even shootings against families who are retaking the territory, in Bonsucesso, he had already requested police presence.

— We are facing a difficult fight and we don’t know how it will end – said the chief general.

CIMI points to law that makes the time frame effective as a cause of violence

In a statement, the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI), a body of the Catholic Church, lamented the death and recalled that the place is a region of conflict over demarcation. In recent months, the approval and promulgation of Law 14701/2023, by Congress, which makes the time frame effective, and the decision taken by Minister Gilmar Mendes on April 22, which maintained the validity of Law 14701/2023, were understood as a victory for the sectors that oppose the demarcation of the Ibirama La Klãnô TI, resulting in the tightening of the tense environment in the region.

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