The Persecution of Tserere: A Symbol of Indigenous Struggle and Conservative Brazil
April 19, 2023 - Wednesday - 19 APR 2023
On the evening of December 12th, 2022, Brazilian Xavante tribe chief Tserere, also known as Cacique Cerere, was arrested by federal police following an arrest warrant issued by Supreme Federal Court (SPF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The arrest led to riots and unrest in the nation's capital, Brasilia, with demonstrators clashing with police and fires burning in front of the Federal Police Building.
Tserere serves as a symbol for the indigenous people and conservative-leaning populists of Brazil. As a Christian Evangelical pastor, he particularly appeals to the religious demographic in the country. Tserere's support for former U.S. President Donald J. Trump and his faith in Jesus Christ were revealed in an exclusive interview I conducted with him during my coverage of the demonstrations in Brazil in November 2022.
The Arrest and Subsequent Riots: The Supreme Federal Court of Brazil (STF) stated that Tserere was arrested for "evidence of the commission of anti-democratic criminal acts." Initially set for a 10-day incarceration, Tserere was remanded into custody without bail in 2022 at the request of Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Following the arrest, riots broke out in Brasilia, with some sources claiming that leftist "black bloc infiltrators" instigated the violence, drawing comparisons to the January 6 Capitol protests.
Tserere's Health and Restrictions in Custody:
Since his incarceration, Tserere has reportedly lost 25 kilograms in body weight. While in custody, he is only allowed face-to-face visits with attorneys and can only communicate with the outside world through letters. However, he is permitted to have video conference calls with people outside, though conversations are not allowed. It has been asserted that the Brazilian federal government hopes Tserere, a symbol for the indigenous people and some of the protesters of the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, will die in custody.
The arrest and detention of Tserere, a symbol of both the indigenous struggle and conservative Brazil, has led to civil unrest in the nation's capital. With concerns over his deteriorating health and strict restrictions in custody, Tserere's story has largely been reported on only by yours truly. However, this new information may help Tserere's story gain traction in the international media.
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