Yanomamis: Heleno says that the complaint about mining is absurd – 01/23/2023 – Mônica Bergamo

Reserve general Augusto Heleno, former minister of the Institutional Security Office (GSI), says he is the target of an “absurd” after being denounced to the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) for having authorized the exploration of gold in an area neighboring the Yanomami Indigenous Land, in Roraima.

The approval for the so-called prior consent, a necessary authorization for undertakings such as mining in the border strip, was given by him on December 14, 2022. According to the documents that supported the release, the area is located in Iracema (RR), 7 .8 km from indigenous territory.

Heleno was denounced to the PGR by elected deputy Luciene Cavalcante (PSOL-SP), who accuses the general of not acting in favor of protecting indigenous lands and also of encouraging prospecting activity in the region. “Which is why there has been an increase in invasions and violence against this population, as well as the mercury contamination of its inhabitants”, says the elected parliamentarian.

Sought, the former minister did not want to expand on the subject. “It is such an absurdity that it does not deserve comment,” he said, in a message sent to the column.

Last year, when asked by the Sheet regarding the authorization, the former minister said that “prior mining consents require a long process to be regulated”.

Luciene Cavalcante asks that an investigation be opened against the former head of the GSI and that measures be adopted to annul mining authorizations granted by him.

The deputy also mentions the public health tragedy that affects the Yanomami and which motivated President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to go to Boa Vista last weekend. “This is a true crime against humanity”, says Cavalcante in the representation.

With the boom in activity under the government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL), more than 20,000 prospectors have already invaded the Yanomami indigenous land and illegally exploit gold, using equipment and logistics provided by criminal groups operating in the region. The estimate is from indigenous associations.

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THIRD SIGN

Actress Vera Holtz received guests at the premiere of the monologue “Ficção”, last week, at the Faap theater, in São Paulo. Historian Leandro Karnal and her husband, singer Vitor Fadul, attended the show. Actress Mariana Ximenez was also there.

_{with BIANKA VIEIRA (interim)KARINA MATIAS and MANOELLA SMITH}

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