Lula declares humanitarian crisis for Brazil's Yanomami territory, cracks down on illegal mining

A humanitarian crisis looms in Brazil's Yanomami territory, where communities have been ravaged by malnutrition, malaria, COVID-19 and widespread illegal mining. Now, the central government is trying to crack down on illegal mining and support these communities after years of neglect.

February 15, 2023 · 2:15 PM EST
By Michael Fox

Last week, the government of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva kicked off a widespread operation to stop illegal mining on Yanomami Indigenous territory.

Videos of the operation have gone viral over social media over the last week. In one, officers from Brazil’s environmental protection agency IBAMA approach a boat of illegal miners trying to motor into the area. The officers wear bulletproof vests over tan and camouflage uniforms. Their guns are raised.

“Stop,” they yell. “Stop. Turn around now.”

The officers pull alongside the boat. "Get your hands on your heads,” they yell. “You're going to come with us.”

The miners comply without a word. There are eight of them in the boat that is packed with bags and supplies.

Since the operation kicked off, IBAMA officers have found and destroyed a plane, a helicopter and other heavy machinery.

More:
https://theworld.org/stories/2023-02-15/lula-declares-humanitarian-crisis-brazils-yanomami-territory-cracks-down-illegal