Miners kill Brazilian tribal leader in protected area of the Amazon
A group of armed miners stormed a remote indigenous village in northern Brazil last week, killing a tribal leader, officials said.
The incident took place in the Yvytotõ village in the state of Amapá, home to the Waiãpi tribe. "This is the first violent invasion in 30 years since the demarcation of the indigenous reserves in Amapá," Sen. Rodolfe Rodrigues told the newspaper Diário do Amapá. Funai, Brazil's indigenous rights agency, said 10 to 15 miners took over the town, stabbing to death 68-year-old Emyra Waiãpi and dumping his body by a river.
The villagers fled to a nearby community, and Rodrigues warned that a "blood bath" could occur if they returned. Federal police and prosecutors said on Sunday they will investigate the incident.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Against the wishes of environmental activists and tribes, Brazil's right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, has said he will open the Amazon up to mining and development. He also doesn't think indigenous people need to have protected territories. The Waiãpi live on land that is rich with gold, copper, and iron.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published