On 21 July of 2014, when the lifeless body of José Enedina was found, after three days missing, the body showed signs of beatings and multiple stabbings. He was a community leader in the struggle for land rights in the Municipality of Araioses, state of Maranhão, Brazil.
According to sources, there have been many recent conflicts in this area. Moreover, at the time, approximately thirty families were living on the disputed land.
The Sociedade Maranhense de Direitos Humanos issued a statement in which it expressed solidarity with the community and condemned José’s death: «this is a loss for the land struggle, a brave man, he confronted the interests of the rich and powerful».