Raoni Metuktire Challenges Lula Over Controversial Amazon Oil Project

Raoni Metuktire challenges President Lula’s oil project in the Amazon, advocating for climate action and Indigenous rights ahead of COP30. He plans to discuss the consequences of environmental degradation and the need for unity in combating climate change during his impending meeting with the President.

Raoni Metuktire, a prominent Brazilian environmental activist and tribal leader, is vocally opposing the Brazilian government’s plans for a major oil project at the Amazon River’s mouth. He plans to meet soon with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva before the COP30 climate talks in Belem, aiming to persuade him to halt the operations of Petrobras, the state-owned oil company. Brazil’s environmental agency IBAMA is currently considering a request for an exploration license in the Equatorial Margin, a crucial ecological area.

Despite President Lula’s commitment to addressing climate change, he supports oil exploration, positioning it as vital for Brazil’s economic growth. Raoni, known for his leadership of the Kayapo people and his historical advocacy against deforestation alongside figures like English musician Sting, remains dedicated to preserving Indigenous rights and the environment. At approximately 90 years old, he has been a tireless advocate for Indigenous peoples threatened by environmental degradation since rising to prominence in the 1980s.

In a recent interview, Raoni emphasized the importance of COP30 as a platform for discussing climate agreements. He expresses a desire for global cooperation to combat environmental issues, urging unity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. He hopes to convey critical concerns regarding the demarcation of Indigenous territories and resist the push for oil exploration during his upcoming meeting with President Lula.

Raoni articulated the significant impact of environmental destruction on his people, noting increasing deforestation, pollution, and climate-related disruptions. He urges non-Indigenous citizens to acknowledge the dire consequences of ecological harm and shared a visionary dream of a potential cleansing that could emerge from nature’s wrath. Raoni has also criticized former President Jair Bolsonaro, whom he reported to the International Criminal Court for his climate change denial and actions detrimental to Indigenous rights, expressing support for any legal repercussions he may face.

Raoni Metuktire’s fervent opposition to Brazil’s planned oil exploration in the Amazon highlights the conflict between environmental preservation and economic interests. His upcoming dialogue with President Lula underscores a critical moment for Indigenous rights and climate action. Raoni’s messages at COP30 emphasize the need for global unity against climate change, while he vividly describes the alarming transformations his community faces due to environmental damage. The dialogue between activism and governance continues to be crucial in shaping Brazil’s environmental policy and Indigenous rights.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr