Indigenous leaders say organized crime seizes villages on Brazil‑Peru border

Indigenous leaders on the Brazilian‑Peruvian border have reported that organized crime groups are taking their communities hostage, prompting a delegation to Brasília for urgent assistance. The groups are said to be destroying rainforest, constructing roads, and trafficking drugs across the region, according to statements from community representatives.

Earlier this month masked men armed with semi‑automatic weapons entered homes in Apiwtxa, a village within the Kampa do Rio Amônia Indigenous territory. The intruders intimidated residents and searched for targets, sparking fears of escalating violence and further encroachment on indigenous lands. The delegation’s mission is to seek federal support and coordinate security measures to protect the affected communities and preserve the Amazon’s ecological integrity.

The Brazilian government has pledged to investigate the incidents and strengthen law‑enforcement presence in the area. The situation remains fluid, with indigenous leaders calling for immediate action to prevent further loss of life and environmental damage.