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      Bolsonaro calls NGOs "crooks" and defends the exploitation of indigenous lands.

      Alongside four indigenous people from different ethnicities, President Jair Bolsonaro defended mineral exploration and agriculture on reserves, saying that indigenous people live on "very rich land" and it makes no sense not to use it; Bolsonaro called international NGOs that, according to him, "enslave" indigenous people "crooks"; indigenous leader Sonia Guajajara countered: "What you offer us is armed guards, what we want is demarcated lands, the defense of life, of well-being. As always, we will continue the resistance."

      Bolsonaro calls NGOs "crooks" and defends the exploitation of indigenous lands.

      247 - In a live broadcast on social media this Wednesday (17), President Jair Bolsonaro attacked the National Indian Foundation (Funai), the legislation that protects indigenous territories and the NGOs that operate in the sector.

      Alongside four indigenous people from different ethnicities, Bolsonaro looked more like Pedro Álvares Cabral when he landed in Brazil and decided to disembark to make contact with the Indians, offering them a rattle. Bolsonaro defended mineral exploration and agriculture in reserves, telling the indigenous people that they live on very rich land, but it makes no sense not to make use of it.

      "When we talk about the Yanomami, there are billions or trillions of dollars under the ground, without even discussing that. Are we going to continue being poor? Being enslaved by NGOs? Being enslaved by political parties or deputies and senators who have no commitment to you? Who use you to get ahead?", said the president. "We want your freedom," he assured.

      One of the four indigenous representatives, in turn, complained about the actions of Funai (National Indian Foundation), about not being able to use their lands as they would like, about the lack of schools, and about the poor health conditions in their villages. Bolsonaro said that if Funai does not do what the Indians want, he will cut "the entire board" of the agency.

      "Just as the Brazilian people have to say what I will do as president, the indigenous people are the ones who say what Funai will do. If it's not like that, I'll cut the entire Funai board and put people like you in there so as not to hinder those who want progress, who want development, who want the good of Brazil," declared the president.

      "It's not justifiable to live in these precarious conditions," said Bolsonaro. "You [indigenous people] are not prehistoric, you are human beings," added the president, stating that it is necessary to build hydroelectric plants on the lands of native peoples, claiming that they could benefit from the royalties generated by these activities.

      As is his custom, Bolsonaro took the opportunity to deliver his hate speech, stating that "the left's policy" on indigenous issues will change under his government. "You have plenty of land, let's use that land. There are trillions of dollars underground," he said. "Are we going to continue being poor?" he asked.

      Through social media, Indigenous leader Sonia Guajajara retorted: "Moro's decree attempts to intimidate us, and the president, in his live broadcast, speaks of integrating us. Integrating us into society, Mr. President? The society you offer us is that of armed guards; what we want is demarcated lands, the defense of life, of well-being. As always, we will continue our resistance."