On June 7, 2016, 22-year old Fernando Gamela was murdered with three gunshots in the Taquaritiua community, in the city of Viana, State of Maranhão. Fernando was a member of the Gamela people who fights for the recognition of their territory in the Baixada Maranhense. Murders related to increased pressure from the timber industry and the activities of illegal loggers interested in the exploitation of traditional territories are becoming frequent, and the Gamela People are being forced off their land.