Removal of invaders represents landmark in defense of Indigenous Peoples

Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sônia Guajajara celebrated the successful completion of the Disintrusion Operation at the Munduruku Indigenous Land (Operação de Desintrusão da Terra Indígena Munduruku /OD-TIMU) in the state of Pará, carried out by over 20 Federal Government agencies, coordinated by the Office of the Chief of Staff. “Preservation of the Munduruku Land is both a national and international priority. Brazil reaffirms its role in protecting the forests and the peoples who are the main guardians of biodiversity,” stated the minister while commenting on the third month of continuous actions in the territory.

According to Guajajara, the work underway in this Indigenous land has repercussions beyond the territory’s limits, representing a stance and a commitment of the current federal administration in its efforts to build long-lasting solutions to protect the environment and human rights. Moreover, it reaffirms Brazil’s commitment to the preservation of the Amazon and the rights of native peoples.

THE OPERATION - Initiated in November 2024, the Disintrusion Operation at the Munduruku Indigenous Land has concluded 419 actions to combat illegal mining, resulting in the destruction of 91 engines, 27 bulldozers, 53 camps, and vehicles used for illegal practices. The financial losses incurred by criminals engaged in illegal mining on the Indigenous territory exceed BRL 97.5 million.

Government officials also seized electronic devices and logistical tools used to support criminal activities. The operation has to deal with the migration of illegal miners to surrounding areas, such as the Tapajós Environmental Protection Area, as well as their attempts to evade inspections using alternative routes and small-scale transport.

With an increased State presence in the region, the operation has also impacted local communities. “The greater presence of federal agents creates an environment where people feel safer and strengthens the social fabric, reducing tensions caused by invaders and fostering the reconstruction of community dynamics,” said Nilton Tubino, the operation’s general coordinator. He emphasized that efforts to remove illegal occupants from protected areas and halt exploitation in Indigenous lands, such as Munduruku, represent “a step toward restoring historical justice and preserving the Amazon as a heritage for all humanity.”