Emboldened by Bolsonaro, armed invaders encroach on Brazil's tribal lands

SUMMARY

Ten days after Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro took office, dozens of men entered protected indigenous land in a remote corner of the Amazon, hacking a pathway beneath the jungle canopy. Inspired by Bolsonaro's vow to open more native territory to commercial development, the men, armed with machetes, chainsaws and firearms, had come to stake their claims.

By ReutersMar 3, 2019 5:43:40 PM IST (Published)

An indigenous man of Uru-eu-wau-wau tribe, looks on during a meeting in the village of Alto Jamari called to face the threat of armed land grabbers invading the Uru-eu-wau-wau Indigenous Reservation near Campo Novo de Rondonia, Brazil. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

An indigenous child of Uru-eu-wau-wau tribe, is seen in a river during a meeting in the village of Alto Jamari called to face the threat of armed land grabbers invading the Uru-eu-wau-wau Indigenous Reservation. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

Indigenous children of Uru-eu-wau-wau tribe, are seen in a river. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

Indigenous men of Uru-eu-wau-wau tribe, play musical instruments during a meeting in the village of Alto Jamari. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

Cows can be seen at the border between farms and the Uru-eu-wau-wau Indigenous Reservation near Campo Novo de Rondonia. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

An indigenous man called Tebu, of Uru-eu-wau-wau tribe, looks on in an area deforested by invaders in the village of Alto Jaru. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

A broken tree is seen in an area deforested by invaders in the village of Alto Jaru. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)