The indigenous organizations Kuyunu (that represents the communities along the Ventuari river) and Kuyujani (representing indigenous peoples of the Caura River and the upper course of the Orinoco River, including the Ye’kwana and Sánema communities in the Manapiare municipality of the Venezuelan state of Amazonas) denounced the incursion of more than 400 heavily armed garimpeiros (informal miners from Brazil) in its territory before the Ombudsman’s Delegate Office.
Gumersindo Castro, a lawyer and Ombudsman in the state of Amazonas, announced that he received a complaint that he classifies as “very serious” because it indicates the illegal presence of armed Brazilians in Venezuelan territory, a situation that translates into a threat to the indigenous inhabitants of the area.
In this sense, Castro pointed out that “the indigenous peoples are being subjected to a situation of slavery in the most remote and inaccessible communities of the Manapiare municipality of Amazonas state, on the border between Venezuela and Brazil.”
The illegal presence of these groups in Venezuelan territory is linked to the practice of mining in the area, said the Ombudsman.
He revealed that the indigenous organizations that filed the complaint indicate that the groups consist of around 400 armed garimpeiros who use about 30 machines for the extraction of minerals.
In addition, the complainants assure that there have been murders of indigenous leaders who have decided to file a complaint regarding the irregularities that they experience in that jurisdiction.
At the same time, Castro urged the authorities to investigate this irregular situation of illegal incursions into Venezuelan territory.
“The Public Ministry is already aware of the situation and I understand that they have started an investigation on the case,” added the Ombudsman.
He highlighted that “several Ye’kwana indigenous organizations, from Bolívar state to Alto Orinoco (Amazonas), have joined efforts and appointed a commission in the city of Puerto Ayacucho, capital of the state of Amazonas to be in charge of visibilizing this problem that seriously affects Venezuelan indigenous people ”.
Likewise, Castro asks the Venezuelan military authorities and competent entities to go to the place and verify the situation following the content of the complaint.
Finally, Mr. Castro said that those responsible for these events that result in the violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and the lack of protection for indigenous peoples must be punished.
Translated by José Rafael Medina
