Brasília (DF) – The presence of the Brazilian Army in Yanomami territory has been a reality for more than three decades. Through the 4th Special Border Platoon (4th PEF) of Surucucu, the Army has been based in the region of Alto Alegre, Roraima, more than 300 km from the capital Boa Vista, since 1988. There, the military control part of the dry border with Venezuela and are still working to guarantee the citizenship of the region’s indigenous peoples. Around 3,000 Yanomami indigenous people, spread over 19 communities, live in the vicinity of the 4th PEF. Currently, there are indigenous people who serve in the PEF as soldiers and who work as guides and interpreters.
Belonging to the Roraima Border Command / 7th Jungle Infantry Battalion, the 4th PEF was also instrumental in consolidating Operation Yanomami, an inter-ministerial task force launched by the Federal Government in 2023 to protect the indigenous people. As part of the Operation, military personnel from the Armed Forces transported and distributed tons of food and supplies as immediate support for the indigenous population, an action supported by the 4th PEF through the collection, transportation and storage of food baskets – which were dropped from Air Force aircraft due to the impossibility of accessing the area by land. The Operation’s humanitarian actions accumulated around 766 tons of food and support materials transported, surpassing the mark of 36,000 food baskets distributed. A total of 3,029 medical consultations and 205 aeromedical evacuations were also carried out.
The platoon has also worked to combat illegal mining and to support the Yanomami people in actions that are coordinated with other government agencies. The platoon is also an important logistical support point for teams from the Federal Police, IBAMA and IBGE, providing accommodation, food and equipment.