we're heading to novo progresso, a cattle and logging town. by a local elite that is involved in illegal business. some of these criminal networks that operate there have armed men that their jobs to threaten, intimidate, and kill. ♪♪♪ sophie: the people of novo progresso believe they have god on their side. today the town is celebrating its patron saint. male announcer: viva santa lucia! [crowd applauding] ♪♪♪ sophie: like most families in this town, deputy mayor gelson dill resettled here from southern brazil to farm cattle. he says his constituents are decent, god-fearing people. gelson dill: [speaking foreign language] sophie: most people here are cattle farmers. locals are proud of the industry they've carved out of the rainforest. beef is what they live, eat, and breathe. [background chatter] sophie: seventy-eight per cent of the town voted for president bolsonaro. gelson: [speaking foreign language] sophie: gelson dill believes previous governments have unfairly punished farmers in the amazon. the deputy mayor is among many here fined f