O Liberal
September 28, 2000

The Kayapo Indians holding 40 hostages since the day before yesterday have decided that they will only release them when the federal government pays them the money gathered at an auction of mahogany extracted illegally from their lands in 1996. According to Tokran Kayapo, administrator of FUNAI in Redenção, IBAMA kept the money and gave nothing to the Kayapo in return. He also said that the hostages, consisting of agents from the Federal Police and IBAMA, were being treated well, and were in no danger. The agents were taking part in an operation to investigate the illegal extraction of mahogany and other endangered woods from the area when the Kayapo detained them. Tokran Kayapo is awaiting the arrival of Megaron Txucarramãe, administrator of FUNAI in Colíder, Mato Grosso, before flying to the village to negotiate with the Kayapo. Error: Unable to read footer file.