Brazil increases number of police officers in Roraima state

Brazil’s federal government will increase the number or Federal Police and National Public Security Force officers in the state of Roraima. The measure was announced this morning (Feb. 6), by Minister of Justice and Public Safety Flávio Dino.

"In compliance with President Lula's decree, I have today ordered the deployment of another 100 members of the National Force that will be arriving in the state of Roraima between today and tomorrow to strengthen the security of the National Indigenous Peoples Foundation - Funai facilities and also health units. This will be the first mission of the National Force in the Yanomami territory. And we will count on the Federal Police, and on the logistical support from the Armed Forces, to effectuate disintrusion," he assured. 

The presidential decree, to which Dino refers, is the one that authorizes the ministries responsible for the main direct actions to address the humanitarian crisis that has befallen the Yanomami indigenous territory to request help from other public agencies.

Published on January 31, the decree establishes, for example, that the National Public Security Force can act in the security of the health and assistance teams on mission in the Yanomami territory. It also defines that the Federal Police and the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) are responsible for adopting administrative police measures, including the interdiction of aircraft and equipment used in illicit activities, such as mining and illegal logging.