The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) estimates that around 7,000 illegal prospectors are still active in Yanomami Land. The figure was announced on Tuesday (26) by the MPI's National Secretariat for Indigenous Territorial Rights, at a press conference to take stock of Operation Catrimani, coordinated by the Army. The number of invaders has fallen by 65 per cent in a year, compared to the start of the federal government's operations, when there were 20,000 invaders in the territory. Now, the federal government is preparing a new phase for the removal of the prospectors with the establishment of the Government House in Roraima, where most of the Yanomami Land is located and where the humanitarian crisis is focused. Representatives of the Armed Forces, the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI) and the Government House took part in the press conference. Operation Catrimani was created through an order issued by the Ministry of Defence, which allowed 15,000 food baskets to be delivered to the indigenous territory. The Brazilian Navy, Brazilian Army and Brazilian Air Force (FAB) took part in the operation. Yanomami Land is considered the largest indigenous territory in Brazil. The region is facing an unprecedented crisis, with serious cases of indigenous people suffering from malaria and severe malnutrition. The crisis has been exacerbated by the advance of illegal mining, especially in recent years. In January 2023, the federal government began to take action to deal with the crisis, sending health professionals, food baskets and materials to help the Yanomami. In addition, security forces were sent to the region to curb the activities of prospectors in the territory. Even with the confrontation, a year after the government decreed an emergency, illegal mining and the humanitarian crisis remain in the region.

Fonte: Agência Amazônia