Pelotas (RS)

President Jair Bolsonaro (PSL) once again spoke about "poop" on Monday (12) in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, during a ceremony to inaugurate a 47-km doubling of a total of 211 km from BR-116 that connects Porto Alegre with the port of Rio Grande.

Unlike the previous time, when Bolsonaro suggested pooping on alternate days to preserve the environment, the president suggested that indigenous feces can disrupt the licensing of essential construction projects.

President Jair Bolsonaro (PSL), in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, during a ceremony to inaugurate a 47-km doubling of a total of 211 km from BR-116 that connects Porto Alegre with the port of Rio Grande. Foto: Clauber Cleber Caetano/PR

"When they talk about container terminal, it's worth it. For years a container terminal in Parana, if I'm not mistaken, has not left paper because it needs an environmental report from Funai. The guy goes there if he finds - already in fashion - a petrified poop of an Indian is gone. You can do nothing else there. It has to end this in Brazil. You have to integrate the Indian into society and launch construction projects that help our country," the president said.

Bolsonaro did not specify which work was being harmed by "petrified poop" of indigenous people. In Paraná, however, different Guarani indigenous communities live near areas with construction projects that depend on reports from Funai (National Indian Foundation).

Funai's participation in environmental licensing of works affecting indigenous areas is provided for in the Constitution. Funai can participate in all stages, from the pre-operation license.

"The Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 provides for the guarantee of indigenous rights. In § 3 of art. 231, it establishes that the use of water resources, including energy potentials, research and mining of mineral wealth in indigenous lands can only be carried out with the permission of the National Congress, after hearing the affected communities," says the agency.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

Read the article in the original language