MST Informa #6
December 14, 2001

The use of Army troops to protect President Fernando Enrique Cardoso's Estate in Buritis, Minas Gerais, against an anticipated MST occupation was considered an "abuse of power" by the substitute Judge Adverci Mendes de Abreu of the Fifth Federal Jurisdiction of Brazil's Federal District. In her verdict, the Judge determined the total compensation for the damage caused to public safety. The decision was given in response to the public interest suit filed in 1999 by seven Workers Party members of the House of Representatives.