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The death of a young Yanomami in the state of Roraima in Brazil by COVID-19, in the first half of April, has raised concern for the communities of the Venezuelan Amazon, because both peoples share a common territory, have social contact and suffer the incursion of illegal mining groups.
Mauligmer Baloa, deputy for Amazonas, has denounced that the Venezuelan indigenous communities in that entity are at risk due to the uncontrolled presence of groups operating on the border with Brazil and irregular groups like the ELN or FARC, which seek to control the mines illegally.
Baloa also warns that the indigenous people are vulnerable populations because they do not have sufficient defenses to protect themselves from an external pathogen, and the spread of the disease if COVID-19 were to reach Venezuelan communities it would be unstoppable due to some of their customs, such as housing in which large groups are live together.
Given this situation, the deputy demanded that measures be taken to avoid this situation in the indigenous communities of the Venezuelan Amazon, starting with the eradication of illegal mining that puts them at excessive risk.
Below we present the proposals that Plan País is making to protect our indigenous communities, which includes the formation of a National Emergency Government that has the capacity to articulate these measures:
Short term
1. Execute the repeal of the Mining Arch decree.
2. Isolate all mining activity of Indigenous Peoples.
3. Closely monitor the advance of the virus on indigenous lands.
Medium Term
1. Comply with the process of national demarcation of indigenous habitat and lands, in accordance with the provisions of the laws governing the matter.
2. To guarantee the necessary spaces for the development of the indigenous peoples.
3. To strengthen intercultural education and self-education.
