Two people were killed in a conflict between Venezuela’s military and illegal miners at Yapacana National Park in the Amazon.
This area suffers from unauthorized gold mining.
Around 400 soldiers were sent to remove over 500 illegal mining sites. Miners attacked them with blades and guns.
This led to two deaths and injuries to three civilians and three soldiers.
The incident took place at 6:00 am local time. Since July, the military has cleared out about 12,000 illegal miners.
They also arrested 41 miners during these operations.
The UN calls for peace in the region. They are willing to help in any investigation and find long-term solutions.
This is the first reported violent event in the military’s cleanup mission in the Amazon.
The government says they are following the law and respect human rights. But, human rights groups say the military uses too much force.
The region also has miners from Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador.
President Nicolás Maduro wants to clean the area for an environmental recovery plan. This plan aims to deal with mercury pollution.
Background
Venezuela’s Amazon has been a hotspot for illegal mining for years. Gold extraction damages the environment and disrupts local communities.
Yapacana National Park covers 320,000 hectares and is rich in biodiversity. This makes the park a prime target for miners.
Indigenous people also live in this area. They’ve been hurt by the mining and the loss of their land.
The military started their operations in July. Since then, they claim to have acted legally and respect human rights.
Yet, some critics say the actions are too harsh. These operations are part of a larger plan by President Maduro.
He wants to “clean” the Amazon for an environmental recovery.