Brazil Roundup: Sailing investment, employee strike, wildfires

Surge in wildfires

The Brazilian Institute of Space Research (INPE) has disclosed figures indicating a surge in wildfires, with approximately 1,700 incidents recorded from the beginning of the month. This area, known for its rich and diverse wildlife populations, is experiencing a frequency of fires that surpasses the previous high for June by over fourfold—a record that has stood for nearly twenty years, as reported by RFI. "This resurgence of fires in the Pantanal even before the dry season (which usually begins in the second half of the year) is extremely worrying," Claudio Angelo, a member of the Climate Observatory collective, told AFP.

Armed attacks

In the early hours of Thursday, June 20, a tragic incident occurred in the town square of Vicosa do Ceara, located in Brazil's northeastern state of Ceara, where a group of armed individuals launched an attack during a public gathering. The Military Police have verified the incident, which resulted in the death of seven individuals and injuries to two others. Surveillance footage from the area displayed multiple vehicles arriving at the location, from which the attackers emerged and coerced several attendees into a submissive posture with hands on their heads. Reports from Xinhua and accounts from eyewitnesses indicate that a barrage of gunfire, estimated to be around 50 shots, was heard, culminating in the fatality of both male and female victims. The injured parties were promptly transported to the local hospital for treatment. While the authorities are still investigating the motive behind this heinous act, they have disclosed that one of the deceased was found to be wearing a monitoring device on their ankle, a device commonly used for individuals on parole or under judicial supervision awaiting trial proceedings.

Employee strike

Shell's local unit leader, Cristiano Pinto da Costa, voiced concerns on Thursday, June 20, regarding a strike by Ibama employees that is disrupting licensing operations in Brazil. While Shell has not experienced direct repercussions from the strike, the potential impact on future licensing—particularly related to their partnership with Petrobras in the Mero oilfield—remains a source of unease. HR World has highlighted that Ibama has deliberately delayed license issuance since January amid a dispute over salaries and working conditions. The strike, which gained approval in no fewer than 14 states last week, is reportedly diminishing Brazil's oil production by approximately 80,000 barrels daily, per the oil lobby group IBP.

Assassination of politician

Following a complex six-year investigation, the Supreme Court has charged several prominent individuals with serious offences. Among those indicted are Federal Deputy Chiquinho Brazao, his sibling Domingos Brazao of the Rio State Court of Accounts, and Rivaldo Barbosa, the ex-chief of the local judicial police. They stand accused of orchestrating a political assassination. Reports from Brasil de Fato suggest that these men purportedly contracted Ronnie Lessa, an ex-police officer, to carry out the hit on a young progressive politician who was interfering with their illicit activities in areas dominated by militias. The attack, which took place in March 2018, also resulted in the death of the politician's driver, Anderson Gomes.

Sailing-Brazil to join SailGP

Brazil will join SailGP with backing from an Abu Dhabi sovereign fund, becoming the first South American team in the league of foiling 50-foot catamarans. The Mubadala-owned Brazil SailGP team will partner with Brazilian sports and entertainment firm IMM, led by ex-Brazilian Olympic sailor Alan Adler. SailGP's CEO Russell Coutts is excited to develop Brazil's fan base. The team will start racing in SailGP's fifth season, beginning in November. The announcement was made on the eve of SailGP's New York Grand Prix, reports CNA