Tense scenes unfolded at the COP30 Climate Summit on Tuesday as dozens of Indigenous protesters forced their way into the summit venue, demanding stronger commitments to climate justice and forest protection.

According to local reports, demonstrators broke through security barriers at the entrance to the conference center, chanting slogans and waving banners that read “Save Our Forests” and “No Climate Justice Without Indigenous Voices.” Security guards attempted to block entry, resulting in scuffles and heightened tension before order was eventually restored.

The protesters, many representing Amazonian Indigenous communities, accused world leaders of failing to meet previous pledges to curb deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They demanded immediate action to protect ancestral lands from illegal logging, mining, and agribusiness expansion issues they say threaten both the planet’s biodiversity and their way of life.

The COP30 Summit, being held in Belém, Brazil, marks a crucial gathering of global leaders, activists, and scientists as the world confronts worsening climate impacts. The event’s host nation, Brazil, has faced scrutiny for balancing economic development with rainforest conservation.

Organizers later released a statement affirming their respect for the protesters’ right to express their views but urged all participants to maintain peace and dialogue.