MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Illegal miners gunned down in Yanomami Territory

Health Minister Nísia Trindade visited the wounded native Brazilians at the Roraima hospital

Brazil's Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change confirmed the death of four miners inside the Yanomami Indigenous Land late on Sunday, April 30, Agencia Brasil reported. They had reacted to a raid by the Federal Highway Police (PRF) and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama). According to the ministry, during the action, large-caliber weapons were seized.

“There was a confrontation during Sunday's action and four miners died, among them a fugitive from justice in the state of Amapá. Federal agents seized 11 weapons from the criminals: 12mm rifles, a rifle, and 45 caliber pistols, all of restricted use. The bodies arrived in Boa Vista on Sunday night,” the ministry said in a statement.

The police action occurred after attacks on the Yanomami Indigenous Land. According to indigenous leaders, three Yanomamis were shot Saturday afternoon. One of the victims, a health agent who worked in the community, died on the spot. The other two victims were treated at the health center in the reserve and later transferred to the General Hospital of Roraima (HGR).

According to the ministry, there are indications that a criminal faction controls the mines where the confrontation took place. The attack Sunday is the fourth against Ibama teams since the beginning of the retaking of Yanomami territory on Feb. 6.

The Environment Ministry also reported that, after three months of work, 327 miners' camps, 18 airplanes, two helicopters, hundreds of motors, and dozens of rafts, boats, and tractors were destroyed. Also seized were 36 tons of cassiterite, 26 thousand liters of fuel, and equipment used by criminals. Satellite images show a reduction of about 80% in areas deforested for mining from February to April about the same period last year.

The two Yanomami indigenous who survived Saturday's should be released from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) shortly.

“They both had surgery, are conscious, with ambient air [without breathing apparatus], talking. Now they will remain under observation until they are transferred to the infirmary, where they can stay with their families,” explained HGR director Patricia Renovato de Oliveira, in an interview with Agência Brasil. The gunshot wounds hit the abdominal region.

Health Minister Nísia Trindade visited the HGR, accompanied by the state governor, Antonio Denarium. Meanwhile, ministers Marina Silva, of the Environment and Climate Change, and Sônia Guajajara, of Indigenous Peoples, flew Monday afternoon over areas of illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land.

The action is part of the federal government's response to the attack suffered by indigenous people in the region.

(Source: Agencia Brasil)