The Brazilian Congress has voted to reduce the power of two ministries dedicated to protecting Indigenous rights and the environment, dealing a blow to President Lula da Silva’s efforts to combat deforestation and safeguard Indigenous communities. The move, which was backed by the country’s powerful agribusiness industry, strips the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change of some of their authority. The changes prevent the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples from legalizing new Indigenous territories and stop the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change from managing a property registry, which is essential for tracking deforestation and managing water resources. The vote marks a setback for President Lula da Silva, who had pledged to prioritize Indigenous rights and environmental protection after years of neglect under his far-right predecessor. Critics have expressed frustration over what they see as a lackluster effort on Lula’s part to fight the cuts.