On the 20 of November 2015, Anderson Mateus André dos Santos, 33 years old, Known as “Índio”, was shot, and beaten to death by unknown people, at approximately 20h. The murder took place in the encampment called « Élcio Machado », located between the municipalities of Buritis and Monte Negro , in Rondônia state.
At the time of killing, the Community Leader of « Liga dos Camponeses Pobres » was accompanied by another person (Terezinha Nunes Meciano), who was also murdered. Sources affirm that three men, who arrived on a motorcycle, burst into their house and set it on fire. In addition, according to news agency called « Diário da Amazônia » the murder was carried out with particular brutality.
Both leaders were well known because of their commitment to the struggle for land rights. There have been several conflicts in this encampment since 2008.