Indigenous leader arrested by Brazilian Federal Police calls for end to confrontation in Federal District: ‘Destruction cannot continue’

Indigenous leader Cacique Cererê Xavante (José Acácio Cererê Xavante), who was arrested yesterday evening, Dec. 12, by the Federal Police (PF) after holding demonstrations in Brasilia, called for an end to fury in the Federal District.

“I am fine, thank God. I am at peace, and I want to ask, if you love me, I want to ask you not to make conflict, fight or confront the police authority. This destruction of cars, attack on the Federal Police headquarters cannot continue,” he said in a video circulating on social networks.

Demonstrators tried to invade on Monday night, Dec. 12, the building of the Directorate General of the PF.

The protest occurred after Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) granted a request from the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGR) and ordered the indigenous man’s arrest.

According to the Federal Police, he had held demonstrations in various places in Brasília.

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This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief