The U.S. convinced the Brazilian president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso to open a military base called "Base de Alcântara" on what used to be a "quilombo", an Afro-Brazilian community founded by runaway slaves and local indigenous tribes centuries ago. These people were displaced to make room for a Brazilian space-research base which later will be ceded to the U.S. for military use. The Brazilian government has "relocated" the hundreds of families living in Alcântara, thus scattering their community . All Brazilian technology developed by this base will then be swallowed up by the U.S. military, and Brazilian customs authoraties will not be allowed to inspect any material brought to this base by the U.S. Furthermore people in the area are afraid the base will become a target of violence and endanger the lives of those living around the base. The referendum in São Paulo state this past month counted that amongst 9.8 million out of 10 million Brazilians oppose this base's construction, the Brazilian congress has yet to approve the hand-over. This base undermines the security, regional integrity, and independence of Brazil, if any one there can find a way to help please do so!
Thank you,
Marcos Carvalho