Representatives of indigenous communities in Brazil have occupied a river terminal belonging to the American agricultural giant Cargill in Santarém, Pará state. The action has led to a complete halt of port operations and the evacuation of civilian personnel. The protesters oppose plans to dredge waterways in the Amazon, which they believe threatens the local ecosystem and the livelihoods of the region's indigenous inhabitants. The corporation confirmed it remains in contact with local authorities.

Occupation of Santarém Terminal

Protesting indigenous people physically occupied the Cargill river port, forcing workers to evacuate.

Opposition to River Dredging

The main reason for the action is the planned modernization of Amazon waterways, which threatens the ecosystem.

Operational Paralysis of the Corporation

The American agricultural giant has completely halted operations at a key logistics hub in Pará state.

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the situation at the river port in Santarém escalated dramatically. A group of indigenous people stormed the premises of a private terminal owned by the American company Cargill. Demonstrators, who had previously gathered outside the facility's gates, forced workers to leave the site, resulting in the interruption of loading key Brazilian export commodities, such as soybeans and corn. The main demand of the protesters is a total ban on dredging, that is, deepening river channels in the Amazon basin. According to activists, these investments only serve to facilitate heavy-tonnage transport while simultaneously destroying the rivers' natural environment. This situation is part of a broader conflict over control of natural resources in northern Brazil. The state of Pará is a strategic region for Brazilian agribusiness due to its access to waterways enabling cheap transport of agricultural produce to ocean ports. Modernization of river infrastructure is a key element of the country's economic strategy, as Brazil is the world's largest soybean exporter. However, for local communities, any interference with the Amazon's hydrology means degradation of fishing grounds and a threat to their traditional way of life, translating into a high readiness for radical forms of protest. Since the 1970s, the Brazilian Amazon has experienced intensive agricultural colonization, which has led to the clearing of vast tracts of rainforest. Conflicts between large landowners and indigenous people over land and water rights regularly end with forceful interventions. „Wir sind hier, weil wir unser Recht auf Existenz verteidigen” (We are here because we are defending our right to exist) — Representative of indigenous communities Cargill issued a statement emphasizing that employee safety is a priority, hence the decision for a full evacuation of the terminal. The company is monitoring the situation and cooperating with security forces to restore order. This blockade hits a sensitive point in Brazilian logistics, as Santarém, located at the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazon rivers, is one of the region's most modern grain hubs. A prolonged shutdown could impact global supply chains, given Brazil's dominant role in the corn and soybean market.

Mentioned People

  • Shamyl Cipriano — Federal judge who issued an order to unblock the Cargill terminal.