The Army Commander, General Tomás Paiva, ordered the Force to carry out studies to permanently increase military personnel in the Amazon by around 3,000 men. The decision is motivated by the persistent humanitarian crisis in the Amazon Forest due to the impacts on the indigenous way of life caused by illegal mining and logging. The number would represent an increase of almost 10% of military personnel in the Amazon region. However, budgetary and organizational difficulties will likely make implementation quite slow.
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Obstacles
Military personnel point out that there are several difficulties involved in sending officers and enlisted personnel to the territory, and the relocation will be necessary because the Army follows a personnel reduction plan until 2029.
Cause
Tomás’ order was issued internally in light of the crisis involving the Yanomami Indigenous Land. Illegal miners dominate the region, which is difficult to access and has a low presence of state employees and is intensifying the humanitarian crisis for the Yanomami, impacting access to food and successive outbreaks of malaria.
One of the main problems is malnutrition. Fishing is unfeasible in the region with the rivers contaminated by mining; without fish, the indigenous population loses an important source of protein.
More Measures
In addition to increasing personnel, the Army intends to install two detachments in the Amazon in the beds of the Uraricoera and Mucajaí rivers. The Army still intends to increase its fleet of helicopters for use in the Amazon, but the military alleges budget difficulties for this.
Operation in January 2023
One year after the start of operations, mining resumed in the region and inspection was no longer as effective as before. Landing and take-off strips suspected of being used for illegal mining were back in operation, and vessels with miners were traveling without discomfort through the dirty and muddy waters of the Couto Magalhães River.
