By Rayane Bueno
Under the coordination of the Ministry of Defense (MD), the Armed Forces have completed 9 months of action in support of the indigenous people in the Yanomami territory, in the north of the country. Since January, the Defense Ministry has been part of the federal government’s task force to protect the indigenous people, with humanitarian actions and in the fight against cross-border crimes, such as illegal mining. So far, the military has transported around 766 tons of food and supplies to the region. The task force’s actions have also totaled R$55 million in fines and drug seizures.
The chief of staff of the Ágata Fronteira Norte Joint Command, Air Brigadier Marcelo Gobett Cardoso, explains how the logistical and operational support of the troops in the indigenous territory is carried out. “On a daily basis, actions are planned and carried out, such as the transportation of cargo from Boa Vista to the indigenous communities in Yanomami Territory, as well as the actual delivery of food baskets to the communities; and actions are also carried out to prevent and repress illegal mining, which ends up culminating in the removal of miners from those lands. There are also actions to support the construction of drinking water systems, especially for the people most in need of this resource,” he said.
Around 1,200 military personnel from the Brazilian Navy, Army and Air Force have already been deployed since the beginning of the actions. In terms of humanitarian aid, the military have distributed around 36,000 basic food baskets, provided 3,029 indigenous people with medical care and carried out 205 aeromedical evacuations. 17 aircraft, 14 boats, 38 vehicles, 5 armored speedboats and 2 ships were also used to assist in the actions.
Combating illegal mining – In order to reinforce actions in the region, on June 21 Defense activated Operation Ágata Fronteira Norte, following the publication of Decree No. 11,575. In addition to providing logistical support to federal agencies, the Armed Forces reinforced enforcement activities, such as patrols; searches of people, vehicles, boats and aircraft; and arrests in flagrante delicto, among others. The joint effort contributed to the reduction of around 80% of the area affected by illegal mining in Yanomami Territory.
Support for public security and environmental agencies, such as the Federal Police (PF) and the Brazilian Environmental Institute (Ibama), also resulted in R$55 million in seizures and fines, as well as the arrest of 164 miners, who were referred to the competent agencies. Among the seizures were 48 tons of cassiterite, 1,859 grams of gold and 1,120 pieces of equipment used in illegal practices, as well as the neutralization of illegal camps in the region and the destruction of 22 illegal mining sites.
Photos: Armed Forces – Social Communications Office (Ascom) – Ministry of Defense
*** Translated by the DEFCONPress FYI Team ***