Calçoene (AP) – From August 31 to September 6, the 22nd Jungle Infantry Brigade carried out Operation Ágata Norte 2023, in cooperation and coordination with national agencies, on the border strip in the Foz do Amazonas Brigade’s area of responsibility. The aim is to combat cross-border and environmental crimes.
The Brigade’s area of operations was delimited in the northern portion of the states of Amapá and Pará, on Brazil’s border with French Guiana and Suriname, a region characterized by the Amazon rainforest and the presence of conservation units and indigenous lands, with a low population concentration.
Coordinated by the Northern Military Command, the activities reinforce the Brazilian Army’s permanent presence in the defense and protection of the Eastern Amazon. In order to combat illegal activities and preserve the environment, river and land patrols were carried out, illegal mining operations were dismantled, roadblocks and control posts were set up, as well as river control and interdiction posts. The operation also had the support of the Federal Police, Federal Highway Police and IBAMA.
More than 500 troops were employed from the organizations under the 22nd Jungle Infantry Brigade: the 2nd Jungle Infantry Battalion, based in Belém (PA), the 24th Jungle Infantry Battalion, based in São Luis (MA), the Amapá Border Command / 34th Jungle Infantry Battalion and the Command Company of the 22nd Jungle Infantry Brigade, both in Macapá (AP). The operation also included 49 (forty-nine) vehicles and 10 (ten) boats, as well as the use of its technological capacity, providing the necessary links for coordination and control.
Also in this context, the Brazilian Army’s “Friendly Hand” carried out humanitarian actions in the region. On September 5, the community of Calçoene (AP) was assisted by military health personnel, who provided 68 general medical consultations and health guidance, as well as 21 dental consultations, with oral hygiene guidance, topical fluoride application, restorative procedures, exodontia and cleaning, ending with the distribution of 73 oral hygiene kits.
The Land Force always works on behalf of the Amazon, in order to maintain the integrity of our environment and defend national sovereignty.