Amazonian chief Raoni Metuktire: 'Bolsonaro has been the worst for us'

[Judi Lynn]

Jonathan Watts in Altamira

@jonathanwatts
Thu 2 Jan 2020 02.00 EST

Venerated indigenous leader speaks out on the threat posed by destruction of the rainforest

Jonathan Watts in Altamira

@jonathanwatts
Thu 2 Jan 2020 02.00 ESTLast modified on Thu 2 Jan 2020 02.05 EST

At close to 90 years old, Brazil’s most venerated indigenous leader, Raoni Metuktire, has returned to the spotlight to challenge the man he calls the worst president of his lifetime, Jair Bolsonaro.

In an interview with the Guardian, the Kayapó chief said he wanted to speak out about the far-right administration’s plans to allow mining in indigenous territory and he warned that Brazil’s Amazon policies threatened global efforts to protect nature and address the climate emergency.

“Ï have seen many presidents come and go, but none spoke so badly of indigenous people or threatened us and the forest like this,” he said. “Since he [Bolsonaro] became president, he has been the worst for us.”

. . .

Even before entering office, Bolsonaro frequently abused indigenous groups as an obstacle to economic development. “It’s a shame the Brazilian cavalry hasn’t been as efficient as the (North) Americans who exterminated the Indians,” he said in 1998. Now in power, he has promised to halt demarcation of new reserves and to open up territories to mining and agriculture businesses. Anthropologists have warned these actions will result in the genocide of uncontacted tribes.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/02/amazonian-chief-raoni-metuktire-bolsonaro-has-been-the-worst-for-us