Brazil Bill proposes criminalization of rural terrorism

Bill 3137/26, currently under analysis in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, proposes the criminalization of rural terrorism and the sabotage of agricultural infrastructure. The legislation seeks to establish prison sentences ranging from 12 to 30 years for acts intended to intimidate, coerce, or cause significant economic and social damage to agricultural production.

Targeted actions include the destruction of crops or livestock, damage to machinery and rural installations, sabotage of silos and warehouses, intentional contamination of seeds, fertilizers, or water reservoirs, and the blocking of essential transport roads. The bill would also add agricultural sabotage to the list of heinous crimes and amend the Penal Code to include specific penalties for such acts.

Author of the project, Deputy José Medeiros (PL-MT), argues that while many of these acts are currently classified as property crimes, existing laws do not account for the collective impact on strategic food production infrastructure. He notes that damage to large-scale equipment can affect cooperatives, exports, and regional food supplies. Medeiros emphasized that the project does not aim to criminalize legitimate social movements or peaceful political demonstrations.