The territorial conflict between Ceará and Piauí involves interpretations of historical documents and could affect 13 municipalities. Understand the Army's proposals to resolve this impasse in the STF
The controversy surrounding a 2.821 km² territory between the states of Ceará and Piauí remains without a definitive solution. Involving 13 municipalities and almost twice the size of the city of São Paulo, this territorial dispute, fraught with historical implications and legal issues, dates back to the 2011th century and remains unresolved. Since XNUMX, the case has been under analysis by the Federal Supreme Court (STF), with direct impacts for thousands of people living in the region.
Piauí's main claim is based on old documents, such as the Imperial Decree of 1880 and the Arbitration Agreement of 1920, which would point to a redefinition of the borders. On the other hand, Ceará insists on the validity of the historical borders consolidated more than a hundred years ago, as reported by TV Ceará.
A 19th-century decree and the beginning of the controversy across the territory
The origin of this dispute can be traced back to the Imperial Decree of 1880, a central piece of the debate. This document formalized an exchange of territories between the states, granting Ceará a coastal strip that previously belonged to Piauí. However, the delimitation included the Serra da Ibiapaba in Ceará territory, something that is now contested by Piauí. While the people of Piauí argue that the interpretation of the decree gives them the right to annex the mountain range, Ceará maintains that the text is unequivocal: the Serra da Ibiapaba belongs to the state. “The 1880 decree leaves no doubt: the mountain range belongs to Ceará!”, say the defenders of Ceará.
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The 1920 Arbitration Agreement: a failed attempt at an agreement
Another key point in the dispute is the 1920 Arbitration Agreement, which proposed a new configuration for the border, transferring the Serra da Ibiapaba to Piauí. However, the Ceará legislature never ratified this agreement, which, according to the state's representatives, makes the document invalid as a legal argument. "It's like trying to sell a house without having the deed signed!", the Ceará defenders joke, reinforcing that the lack of formal validation of the agreement perpetuates the legal impasse.
The Ibiapaba Mountains: territory or identity?
The Serra da Ibiapaba is at the heart of the dispute and, for Ceará, a symbol of historical identity. Documents from the 1720th century, such as a record from XNUMX, attest that the region was already recognized as part of the territory of Ceará during the Jesuit period. “This is not just a territorial issue; it is a piece of our history!”, argue the people of Ceará. For Piauí, however, the mountain represents a strategic and historical point, which is why it seeks to be incorporated.
The Brazilian Army report and the five proposed solutions
In June 2024, the Brazilian Army submitted a technical report to the Supreme Court proposing five alternatives to resolve the impasse. The options include:
- Incorporate the Ibiapaba Mountains into Piauí: In this scenario, Ceará would lose 6.162 km², covering three entire municipalities, seven municipal headquarters and 36 districts currently under its administration.
- Equal division of disputed areas: The proposal suggests dividing the land in half, with each state receiving approximately 1.410 km². However, this solution does not take into account the distribution of buildings and populations affected.
- Transfer all areas to Piauí: Piauí would win the disputed 2.821 km², directly impacting the 13 municipalities currently belonging to Ceará.
- Keep all areas under Ceará: Here, the neighboring state would give up any claim, ceding the 2.821 km² to Ceará.
- Assign the largest part to Ceará: In this alternative, 2.606 km² would remain with Ceará, while Piauí would receive 713 km², preserving local buildings and populations.
Uncertainties for residents and the regional impact
Without a final decision, the Supreme Federal Court continues to analyze the case, which maintains a situation of uncertainty for the affected communities and for both states. The lack of definition of the borders creates difficulties in administrative management and in the distribution of resources, leaving state governments in suspense.
The centuries-old dispute between Ceará and Piauí is an example of how historical issues and legal interpretations can shape territorial sovereignty in Brazil. Awaiting the final ruling from the Supreme Court, both states hope that this complex territorial issue will finally be resolved, ending a conflict that defies time and geography.
An expensive act of injustice and the longer it takes to make a decision, the more it affects communities.
Found a new state, Piará. With that, we would increase the number of corrupt people, Éder, who live off handouts... seriously! This is all Brazil and belongs to Brazilians. Consult the people through their vote and respect the people's decision.
The lands are from Ceará! The entire population of the area, born, raised and educated, has always belonged to Ceará! It is not now, after all the investments made by the people of Ceará, that Piauí will want to compete…