Armed Forces to stay in Roraima until December

The troops were sent to protect Venezuelans

Agência Brasil

Published on 30/10/2018 - 15:23

Brasília

Army soldiers patrol on a street next to people from Venezuela after checking their passports or identity cards at the Pacaraima border control, Roraima state, Brazil August 19, 2018. Picture taken August 19, 2018. REUTERS/Nacho Doce — © Nacho Doce/Reuters/Direitos Reservados

The Brazilian Armed Forces will stay in the northern state of Roraima until the end of the year to protect the settlements and activities related to the sheltering of Venezuelan refugees. A presidential decree postponing the end of the period was published Tuesday (Oct. 30).

The decision to engage the troops was made on August 28, after residents in Pacaraima, the town on the border with Venezuela, expelled Venezuelans living in camps and shelters, also torching their belongings. The incident took place after a local salesperson was alleged to have been attacked by four Venezuelans.

The new period will be in effect from October 31 to December 31. It will be the job of the Defense minister to determine how the necessary resources will be allocated.