Indigenous groups are urging the Brazilian government to recognize more of their territories and provide protection against criminal activities. A group of 40 Indigenous leaders convened with President Lula at the presidential palace to address these concerns.

Thousands of Indigenous individuals participated in a march in Brazil's capital, Brasilia, on Thursday, to voice their opposition to the government's lack of acknowledgment of additional ancestral lands.

In addition to demanding further land recognition, certain tribes protested against a proposed 950-kilometer (590-mile) rail project. The Ferrograo railway is intended to convey grain from farms in the country's central region to ports along the Tapajos River, a significant tributary of the Amazon.

One of the main grievances of the people is what they perceive as the failure of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government to fulfill its promise of legally recognizing more of the land they have inhabited for centuries. This recognition is vital to protect their territories from encroachment by unauthorized loggers, illegal miners, and land grabbers.

Despite Lula's administration creating 10 Indigenous territories, Indigenous leaders conveyed to him in the meeting that this is insufficient.

He later stated on X, formerly known as Twitter: "It is my moral duty to do what I can to minimize the suffering of Indigenous people and guarantee their rights."

However, Indigenous leader Chief Edinho of the Macuxi tribe in Roraima state told reporters: "We left well aware that our struggle continues. We have a government that talks to us, but a farm lobby that stops it from governing."

Indigenous leaders from the Kayapo, Panará, and Munduruku tribes criticized the proposed Ferrograo railway, stating that they were not adequately consulted. They express concern that the new infrastructure would result in increased deforestation.

"Ferrograo is the train of death, of deforestation," remarked Alessandra Korap Munduruku, the Goldman Environmental Prize winner. This prize recognizes grassroots environmental champions worldwide who take significant action for our planet.

"The railroad is not going to carry people, as they claim, but grain production of international companies financing this project," Munduruku added.

Marivelton Baré, head of the Rio Negro Federation of Indigenous Organizations, expressed, "There is political instability, disrespect, and mistrust."

Indigenous demands face mounting opposition from the powerful agribusiness sector.

"We are in favor of Ferrograo, a federal government project of extreme importance for the shipment of grains," the farm caucus in Congress stated. They argue that the railway will cut freight costs by 25% and emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than the trucks currently transporting the grain.