Brasilia, May 11 (RHC--teleSUR)-- Thousands of families belonging to Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST), occupied a massive 1,500 hectare farm, which is being targeted due to its alleged ties with country’s deeply unpopular Vice President Michael Temer.

The farm, which was identified by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor in its annual report for keeping employees in slave-like conditions, has not been directly linked to Temer, but it is believed by locals and the MST leadership, to be partially owned by the country’s vice president.

According to Brazilian authorities, the property is currently registered under the name of Joao Batista Lima, owner of the Sao Paulo-based architecture firm, which has been accused of receiving work contracts in exchange for granting bribes to Vice President Michel Temer, whose office formally denied that the property belonged to Temer.

Although the 1,500-hectare property called “Esmeralda” does not officially belong to Temer, local residents consider him as the genuine landlord, according to the MST.