“In that region, a very isolated region, a lot of people didn’t like it. He should have more than redoubled the attention to himself,” Bolsonaro added.
After ten days of intense search, the authorities have found a trace of blood on a boat belonging to the first of the two suspects detained so far and “apparently human” material that is being analyzed in Brasilia. They also found personal belongings such as clothing and shoes.
“From what everything indicates, if they killed them both, which I hope not, they are in the water, and there will be little left in the water, the fish eat, I don’t know if there are piranhas there in Javarí,” Bolsonaro declared.
Phillips, 57, is a contributor to the British newspaper The Guardian and the author of dozens of reports on the Amazon.
He was preparing a book on environmental conservation when he disappeared along with Pereira, 41, who was guiding him.
Both were seen for the last time on Sunday, June 5, while they were navigating a river in the Javarí Valley, an area where drug traffickers, loggers and illegal fishermen operatelocated in the extreme west of the state of Amazonas, on the border with Peru and Colombia.
The president also explained that in that region there are “pirates in the river” and insisted that “it is very reckless to walk” around “without being properly prepared, physically and with weapons”.
The disappearance of Phillips and Pereira sparked a wave of international solidarity and once again inflamed criticism against the Bolsonaro government, accused of encouraging invasions of indigenous lands and sacrificing the preservation of the Amazon for economic exploitation.
Source: Ambito
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
