Bolsonaro says they found “human viscera” in the search for the two disappeared in the Amazon

the president of Brazil, Jair BolsonaroHe said this Monday that “Human viscera were found floating in the river” during the search for British journalist Dom Phillips and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, who disappeared a week ago in the Amazon.

The statements of Bolsonaro They occurred amid conflicting announcements about the alleged discovery of two bodies, which generated great confusion about the case.

Look: Personal belongings of missing British reporter and expert found in Brazil

“The searches continue. But the indications lead us to believe that they did something evil with them, because they have already been found. human viscera floating in the river, who are in Brasilia to identify their DNA”said the president during an interview with a local radio.

“Because of the time that has passed, eight days already, it will be very difficult to find them alive. I pray to God that this happens, but the signs point in the opposite direction”, he added.

Earlier, Phillips’ family said they had been informed of the discovery of two bodies but were awaiting identification.

“We know that they found two bodies but we are waiting for a confirmation from the Federal Police as to whether they are the bodies of Dom and Bruno”, Dominique Davies, the journalist’s niece, told AFP in London.

But the Federal Police did not confirm the discovery of bodies and in a statement reiterated that apparently human remains and personal belongings of the victims were being analyzed. disappearedfound in the previous days.

Later, the Police pointed out that the results of these analyzes are expected “during this week.”

Beatriz Matos, wife of indigenista Bruno Pereira, said on Twitter that the police confirmed “that no body was found.”

a detainee

Phillips, 57, and Pereira, 41, were last seen on Sunday, June 5, while on a trip through the Javarí Valley region, in the far west of the state of Amazonon the border with Peru and Colombia.

The journalist, contributor to the British newspaper The Guardian and author of dozens of reports on the Amazonwas preparing a book on environmental conservation and Pereira accompanied him as a guide through this remote region where drug traffickers, loggers and illegal fishermen operate.

The expert from the government agency for indigenous affairs (Funai) and an active defender of these communities had received threats from criminal groups that try to invade the protected lands to exploit their resources.

The authorities they found on Sunday personal belongings of both, such as clothes, shoes and also the Pereira health card.

According to firefighters, the belongings were found submerged near the house of the only suspect in the case, Amarildo da Costa Oliveira, arrested for possession of weapons and drugs.

But later witnesses said they saw him pass by in a speedboat in the same direction as Phillips and Pereira shortly before his disappearance.

A trace of blood was found on his boat, which is being analyzed along with the remains found.

U2 adds to the pressure

The disappearance of Phillips and Pereira sparked a wave of international solidarity and once again inflamed criticism against the government of far-right Jair Bolsonaroaccused of encouraging invasions of indigenous lands and sacrificing the preservation of Amazon for its economic exploitation.

British band U2 joined the pressure to find them on Monday, as Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso and former soccer star Pelé had already done.

“We are waiting to find out what happened to these brave men,” the band tweeted along with a red and black poster that has been circulating on the networks in recent days, with the question “Where are Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira?”

Dozens of indigenous people marched this Monday in Atalaia do Norte, a city of some 20,000 inhabitants near the site of the searches, to demand an answer about the disappeared.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists also denounced “the government’s insufficient response and lack of transparency.” “The Brazilian authorities must stop dragging their feet” in the searchhe said in a statement.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.