Government cuts 8.2 million from FUNAI after the murder of Dom and Bruno

After the murders of the indigenous activist and licensed FUNAI employee Bruno Araújo Pereira and the English journalist Dom Phillips at the Javari Valley, earlier in June this year, the federal government cut R$ 8.2 million in discretionary spending of the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), the agency responsible for the care and protection of indigenous peoples. 

Data obtained by the Data Fixers project, in partnership with the public data agency Fiquem Sabendo, show that the foundation received a supplementary credit of R$ 12.3 million after the crime. However, a large part of this amount was cut at the request of the federal government itself, with the justification of compliance with the public spending cap.

Since the deaths of Bruno and Dom, employees and agents have been complaining about the negligence of the Foundation’s command, which is helmed by the Federal Police delegate Marcelo Xavier. They have pointed out the need for more resources to solve the deficit of personnel and structure. The employees are asking for the purchase of boats and motors, rafts for fuel and boat storage, computers, and electric generators, among other things.