RIO DE JANEIRO — A British journalist, and an Indigenous affairs specialist, are missing from a remote area of Brazil’s Amazon region. According to a local Indigenous association, the area has seen violent conflicts between poachers, fishers, and government agents.
According to the Unijava association, Pereira was an advisor. Dom Phillips, a regular contributor, and Bruno Araujo Pereira, were last seen in Sao Rafael at 7 AM on Sunday. They had been returning by boat from Vale do Javari, an indigenous land, and were headed for Atalaia do norte, which is about an hour away. However, they never arrived.
Pereira has been threatened in the region and is currently away from his position with Brazil’s Indigenous affairs Agency. Phillips has also contributed to the Washington Post, New York Times.
According to The Guardian, a spokesperson said that it was “very concerned” and needed information on Phillips’ condition and whereabouts. We are in touch with the British Embassy in Brazil as well as local and national authorities in order to get the facts straight away.
There have been numerous shootings in the region between fishermen and hunters, as well as official security agents who maintain a permanent base there. The area is known for its large uncontacted Indigenous population.
A Tabatinga employee of the Indigenous Affairs agency was shot to death in September 2019. Tabatinga is the largest city in the area. The crime was never solved.
