Cáritas in two acts: struggle and resistance in Baixo Jaguaribe

Abstract

This article explores the complex agrarian issue in Vale do Jaguaribe, in the State of Ceará, highlighting different ways in which the rural population organizes, fights and resists. The region has been the scene of historical conflicts over water use and land ownership since colonial times. In recent decades, confrontations in the region have been marked by the way the State deals with rural populations and the territorialization of capital, with the advancement of agro-hydrobusiness, including activities such as irrigated fruit farming and shrimp farming, which have significantly impacted the territory. In this text we highlight the importance of the activities of Cáritas Diocesana de Limoeiro do Norte (CDLN) as a fundamental institution in supporting, supporting and promoting dispute processes in the region. The analysis of the actions of the CDLN and the agents involved allows us to understand how these interventions have changed the reality of rural communities in Vale do Jaguaribe over almost seven decades. The resistance of local communities, through strategies such as direct action in the Jaguaribe River Integration Program (PITR), demonstrates the importance of mobilization and the search for alternatives in the face of the challenges faced. Methodologically, we mainly address existing documents in the CDLN collection with the aim of transforming them into historical sources. Thematic interviews were also carried out to examine memories about the forms of struggle.