Maria Lúcia do Nascimento, 48, a community leader of “Sindicato dos Trabalhadores Rurais de União do Sul”, was shot dead on August 13, 2014, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

There have been several land conflicts in this area, in view of the fact that it is being claimed in the courts by both farmers and landless people. At the time of reporting, Maria and 25 (twenty-five) families lived in the encampment called Nova Conquista II (Gleba Macaco).

Sources state that the leader had reported that she had received threats to the authorities from the farm owner, however, this had no results.

Based on reports by O GLobo, Comissão Pastoral da Terra, MST and Irmandade dos Martires.