Brazil Begins Expelling 'Strangers' From Indigenous Lands In Landmark Move

 

Brazil’s government has begun removing thousands of non-Indigenous people from two native territories. Announcing the move, the Brazilian intelligence agency ABIN did not say whether or not the expulsion of non-Indigenous people had been entirely peaceful.

The territories are located around the municipalities of Sao Felix do Xingu, Altamira, Anapu, and Senador Jose Porfirio in Para state. Brazil’s government said the Supreme Courtand other judges had ordered the operation.

“The presence of strangers on Indigenous land threatens the integrity of the Indigenous [people] and causes other damages,” ABIN said in its statement.

About 1,600 families lived illegally in that region with some involved in illegal activities such as gold mining and cattle raising, the agency noted.

Other authorities that participated in the action on Monday included Brazil’s ministry of Indigenous peoples, the federal police and armed forces, among many others.