Brazilian authorities have charged Colombian fish trader Ruben Dario da Silva Villar for allegedly orchestrating the 2022 killings of Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira and journalist Dom Phillips in the Amazon.
Fabiano Maisonnave reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Da Silva Villar is accused of providing ammunition and financing an illegal fishing operation in the Javari Valley, a protected Indigenous area.
- The killings reportedly aimed to prevent Pereira from enforcing environmental protections, with Phillips documenting the work for a book.
- The investigation has led to charges against nine people, including two who confessed but claimed self-defense.
Why this matters:
This case underscores the dangers faced by environmental defenders in the Amazon, a region critical to biodiversity and Indigenous preservation. The indictment highlights the serious risks posed by illegal activities that exploit protected lands and target those who safeguard them.
Related: Yanomami people face rising threats from organized crime in Brazilian Amazon
