Neoextrativismo, garimpo e vulnerabilização dos povos indígenas como expressão de um colonialismo persistente no Brasil

Abstract

RESUMO O artigo, em forma de ensaio, defende que as ameaças de vulnerabilização mais recentes contra os povos indígenas, intensificadas no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19, refletem um colonialismo persistente. Este se atualiza no contexto da inserção semiperiférica do Brasil no sistema-mundo capitalista, neoliberal e globalizado como exportador de commodities produzidas pelos dois setores estratégicos do neoextrativismo, a mineração e o agronegócio. O modelo neoextrativista beneficia principalmente grupos transnacionais e elites nacionais com grande poder econômico e político, além do próprio setor financeiro. Além disso, estabelece conexões com o submundo dos circuitos inferiores e ilegais vinculados a setores como o garimpo, e incluem desde práticas de violência até a lavagem de dinheiro com a participação de grupos locais que, nos últimos tempos, vêm assumindo crescente poder político e institucional. Tais grupos fazem parte do complexo mosaico do fortalecimento de ideologias de extrema-direita nos últimos anos no cenário nacional, que vêm reunindo alianças. O artigo tem por base experiências de pesquisa colaborativa nos últimos anos com o povo Munduruku na região do Médio Tapajós, com reflexões sobre a atual expansão de agenda política anti-indígena.

Health and Mining Practices in Indigenous Territories

“…Territorial conflicts in Brazil, linked to ethno-environmental issues, have their roots in European colonization, a process that still persists, with changes only in its strategies of domination [16][17] . The investigation of mining impacts on IT reveals a worrying trend: protective institutions are losing strength, while neoliberal interests advance, disregarding the rights of indigenous peoples 11 .…”

“…My people are dying, the children are dying. (11) The scourge of malnutrition is directly linked to another problem in the region: illegal gold mining. The extraction of ore with mercury contaminates rivers, kills animals, and impacts the availability of food.…”

“…The extraction of ore with mercury contaminates rivers, kills animals, and impacts the availability of food. (11) As for the special attention that should be provided by the health district, it is not happening [...]. (11)…”

“…(11) As for the special attention that should be provided by the health district, it is not happening [...]. (11)…”

“…Therefore, the higher the trophic level, the higher the concentrations of this metal, causing harmful effects on human health since fish constitute the primary protein source for indigenous peoples [5][6][7] The situation is exacerbated by the vulnerability of indigenous peoples to the impacts of the dominant economic model 1,9,10 and by health crises that demand urgent control of health risks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which amplified the vulnerabilities of indigenous peoples. Invasions by illegal loggers, land grabbers, missionaries, and miners acted as "vectors" for the spread of the virus 11 , and with the weaknesses in public policies, environmental surveillance, and health issues were exacerbated during this pandemic period due to social isolation and the implementation of sanitary barriers in villages, further magnifying the vulnerabilities of indigenous peoples 7 . In this scenario, the ongoing presence and flexibility of mining and prospecting activities alarmingly threaten the livelihoods and health of indigenous peoples [2][3][4] . These activities not only endanger the physical well-being of the inhabitants of these areas but also violate the sacred constitutional rights of these communities, including the right to control their territories, resources, cultures, and traditions, including their rights to health 10 .…”