Fact Check: The removal operation started last week in one of the country’s most renowned Amazon conservation units, the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve.

Fact Check: "The removal operation started last week in one of the country’s most renowned Amazon conservation units, the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve."

What We Know

The claim regarding the removal operation in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve is supported by multiple reports. According to the Associated Press, federal agents began a large-scale operation last week to remove approximately 400 cattle that were illegally raised on public land designated for sustainable forest use within the reserve. This operation is part of a broader effort to combat illegal activities that have led to significant deforestation in the area. The Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve is noted as one of Brazil's most renowned conservation units, named after the environmentalist Chico Mendes, who was assassinated in 1988 for his activism.

The operation has sparked protests among local residents, some of whom are advocating for the preservation of traditional practices such as rubber tapping and Brazil nut harvesting, while others support livestock farming. The federal agency responsible for the operation, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), stated that the environmental crime primarily stems from large-scale cattle ranching, which violates the rules of the protected area (AP News).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as it comes from credible news sources that report on environmental issues in Brazil. The Associated Press, a reputable news organization, provided detailed coverage of the operation, including the context of rising deforestation rates in the region. The report indicates that the operation is a response to a 56% increase in deforestation in the first five months of 2025 compared to the previous year, highlighting the urgency of the situation (AP News).

Moreover, the involvement of federal agents and the legal framework surrounding the eviction orders lend credibility to the claim. The operation is not only a law enforcement action but also a significant environmental initiative aimed at preserving the integrity of the reserve, which is crucial for biodiversity and local communities (AP News).

While some residents have protested the operation, arguing that it threatens their livelihoods, the broader environmental implications and the legal basis for the removal of cattle suggest that the operation is necessary for the conservation of the area. The protests reflect a complex socio-economic landscape where traditional practices are increasingly challenged by illegal agricultural expansion (AP News).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "the removal operation started last week in one of the country’s most renowned Amazon conservation units, the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve" is accurate. The operation is well-documented, backed by credible sources, and is part of a necessary response to illegal cattle ranching and deforestation in the region. The context of the operation, including the legal framework and the environmental urgency, further supports the validity of the claim.

Sources

1. Removal of hundreds of illegal cattle in the Amazon sparks ...
2. Chico’s – Wikipedia
3. Chico, California - Wikipedia
4. Chico - Wikipedia
5. Women's Clothing & Apparel Online & In-Store | Chico's
6. Removal of hundreds of illegal cattle in the Amazon sparks ...
7. Lounas | Chico's Viikki | Raflaamo.fi
8. Chico Mendes – Remembering an icon of environmentalism