Ibama and Funai begin retaking Yanomami territory

The federal government started actions to reprimand the crime and to remove gold miners from the Yanomami indigenous land, in Roraima. Between Monday (6) and early Tuesday night (7), a helicopter, a plane, a bulldozer and logistical support structures for the mining were destroyed. Two guns and three boats with around 5,000 liters of fuel were also seized.

The action was led by Ibama agents, with support from the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai) and the National Public Security Force.

Ibama and Força Nacional installed a control base on the Uraricoera River, the main river route in the region, to prevent the flow of supplies to the mines. In addition to gasoline and diesel, the seized boats were carrying about a ton of food, freezers, generators and internet antennas.

All supplies will be used to power the control base. No vessel carrying fuel and equipment will be allowed to proceed from that blocking point towards the mines.

The installation of control bases will be extended to other areas of the indigenous land. The logistical structure is provided by Funai, with the support of the indigenous people themselves in this phase of the operation.

The aerial action is carried out by Ibama’s Specialized Inspection Group, which monitors clandestine airstrips in the region. Overflights to identify and destroy the mining infrastructure, such as planes, helicopters, engines and facilities, will be maintained. The destroyed tractor was used to open “branches” in the forest.