The Murder of Chico Mendez and de-Forestation
The Murder of Chico Mendez
Chico Mendez was born in the Amazon Rainforest, December 15th, 1944. He became a rubber tapper at the age of 9, and was taught everything he knows by his father.
In the 1970’s he became involved in a non-violent resistant movement to defend the forest and homes of forest people from deforestation. He believed in using the Amazons resources sustainably for the economic benefit of local people and protecting the rainforest from logging, cattle ranching, mining and agriculture (plantations). He had won various battles to stop cattle ranchers from destroying areas of the rainforest.
I think Chico was killed because of his many successful protests, as he had made enemies through this. I suspect they thought if he was dead and out of the way, they could go on with their de-forestation plans.
Some of the main suspects are;
Darley Alves (Cattle Rancher)
Darley had a motive for killing Chico Mendez, as Chico had won and prevented him from continuing to deforest areas so that he could graze his cattle, which could be sold at a high rate for export, and as a consequence he had lost a lot of money. He had also committed a murder in another state, and was arrested but unfortunately was not prosecuted.
Aldebio da Silva (Owner of logging company)
As Aledbio was illegally logging mahogany wood to the UK, he didn’t want Chico finding out, as it would obviously cause trouble and he was already getting concerned that he may find out.
Ovido Roberto (Dam builder)
Ovido Roberto was planning to build a multi-million pound dam on the Rio Grande. A lot of money could be made if the plans where able to go ahead, but unfortunately for Chico gave a lot of publicity to the negative affects the dam would have on the rainforest.
Francisco de Sousa (Peasant Farmer)
Francisco had been forced to move by the government when a logging company had take his land. As he was not very successful, every few years he would have to move. This is called
Chico Mendez was born in the Amazon Rainforest, December 15th, 1944. He became a rubber tapper at the age of 9, and was taught everything he knows by his father.
In the 1970’s he became involved in a non-violent resistant movement to defend the forest and homes of forest people from deforestation. He believed in using the Amazons resources sustainably for the economic benefit of local people and protecting the rainforest from logging, cattle ranching, mining and agriculture (plantations). He had won various battles to stop cattle ranchers from destroying areas of the rainforest.
I think Chico was killed because of his many successful protests, as he had made enemies through this. I suspect they thought if he was dead and out of the way, they could go on with their de-forestation plans.
Some of the main suspects are;
Darley Alves (Cattle Rancher)
Darley had a motive for killing Chico Mendez, as Chico had won and prevented him from continuing to deforest areas so that he could graze his cattle, which could be sold at a high rate for export, and as a consequence he had lost a lot of money. He had also committed a murder in another state, and was arrested but unfortunately was not prosecuted.
Aldebio da Silva (Owner of logging company)
As Aledbio was illegally logging mahogany wood to the UK, he didn’t want Chico finding out, as it would obviously cause trouble and he was already getting concerned that he may find out.
Ovido Roberto (Dam builder)
Ovido Roberto was planning to build a multi-million pound dam on the Rio Grande. A lot of money could be made if the plans where able to go ahead, but unfortunately for Chico gave a lot of publicity to the negative affects the dam would have on the rainforest.
Francisco de Sousa (Peasant Farmer)
Francisco had been forced to move by the government when a logging company had take his land. As he was not very successful, every few years he would have to move. This is called