Brazil: offensive against gold miners in the Amazon

2024-01-20T22:55:48.516Z

Highlights: Brazil: offensive against gold miners in the Amazon. New measures are taken to protect the lives of Indians. President Lula launched an “eviction” operation to chase gold miners out of territories reserved for Indians. But after initial success, the gold hunters returned to the charge. And their presence has once again brought back diseases and disrupted the way of life of the Yanomami, in northern Brazil, near the border with Venezuela.. Mercury dumped into rivers contaminated fish caught by Indians. Once again, images of bone-thin children were shown on television.

The Brazilian authorities relaunched this week their offensive against gold miners in the Amazon - these gold prospectors who are encroaching on the territories of the Yanomami Indians and other peoples...

Brazil: offensive against gold miners in the Amazon

Brazilian authorities this week relaunched their offensive against gold miners in the Amazon - these gold prospectors who are encroaching on the territories of the Yanomami Indians and other indigenous peoples.

New measures are taken to protect the lives of Indians.

An undated photo released January 17, 2024 by the Brazilian Federal Police shows agents participating in an operation to seize and destroy the property of illegal loggers found in Yanomami territory, Roraima state, Brazil.

AFP - HANDOUT

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in São Paulo

Martin Bernard

Shortly after his return to power a year ago, President Lula launched an “eviction” operation to chase gold miners out of territories reserved for Indians in the Amazon.

But after initial success, the gold hunters returned to the charge.

And their presence has once again brought back diseases and disrupted the way of life of the Yanomami, in northern Brazil, near the border with Venezuela.

An illegal mine is observed in the Couto de Magalhaes River during an operation carried out by members of the Special Inspection Group of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) against illegal mining on Yanomami indigenous lands, in Roraima state, Brazil, December 3, 2023. REUTERS - UESLEI MARCELINO

Malaria has claimed many new victims.

Mercury dumped into rivers contaminated fish caught by Indians.

Once again, images of bone-thin children were shown on television.

Also read: Brazil launches operation against illegal gold miners after giving them time to flee

Lula indirectly admitted flaws in the government's action, announcing that the presence of the army in the region would henceforth be permanent, and no longer temporary.

“

It’s a question of state, there is no question of losing the war against the gold miners

,” he said.

The fight must now redouble its intensity.

Read alsoBrazil: opening of an investigation for “genocide” against the Yanomami populations

Brazil: offensive against gold miners in the Amazon

Brazil: offensive against gold miners in the Amazon

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