Dozens of Indigenous protesters forced their way into the COP30 climate summit venue in the Amazonian city of Belem on Tuesday, clashing with security guards as they demanded urgent climate action and protection of ancestral lands.
Shouting and waving flags emblazoned with calls for land rights, the protesters pushed through security barriers at the entrance of the U.N. compound, where thousands of delegates from around the world are attending the U.N. climate conference.
“We can’t eat money,” said Nato, an Indigenous leader from the Tupinamba community. “We want our lands free from agribusiness, oil exploration, illegal miners and illegal loggers.”
An Indigenous demonstrator is held by a staff member as protesters force their way into the venue hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), in Belem, Brazil, November 11, 2025. REUTERS/Anderson Coelho TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Security guards used tables to barricade the entrance as tensions escalated. As reported in Reuters, one guard was seen being taken away in a wheelchair, clutching his stomach, while another suffered a cut above his eye after being struck by a drumstick thrown from the crowd. Security personnel later confiscated several heavy sticks from demonstrators.
The protesters dispersed shortly afterward, joining hundreds more who had marched to the venue earlier in the day.
Minor Injuries, Ongoing Investigations
A U.N. spokesperson confirmed the breach in a statement, saying two guards sustained minor injuries and some property damage occurred.
“Brazilian and U.N. security personnel took protective actions to secure the venue, following all established security protocols,” the statement read. “The venue is fully secured, and COP negotiations continue.”
Demonstrators, including Indigenous people, take part in a protest as they force their way into the venue hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), in Belem, Brazil, November 11, 2025. REUTERS/Anderson Coelho
The main entrance to the summit site was closed for repairs but is expected to reopen on Wednesday.
Indigenous Voices at the Forefront
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has emphasized the vital role of Indigenous communities in addressing deforestation and climate change. Earlier this week, dozens of Indigenous leaders arrived by boat to attend the talks, demanding greater influence in decisions on forest management and conservation.
Indigenous people walk together as they participate in a demonstration on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), in Belém, Brazil, November 11, 2025. REUTERS/Anderson Coelho
Prominent Indigenous figure Chief Raoni Metuktire told Reuters that communities remain frustrated with continued industrial projects in the Amazon. He urged Brazil’s government to empower Indigenous peoples to safeguard the rainforest.
COP30, hosted for the first time in the heart of the Amazon, has seen adaptation and forest protection rise to the top of the agenda as global leaders debate how to balance economic growth with environmental preservation.
