Kayapos Release Hostages after being Granted Demarcation
O Estado de S. Paulo
August 5, 2000
The Kayapo Indians of the Baú reservation liberated their sixteen hostages yesterday morning after hearing the decree of Minister of Justice José Gregori to demarcate their territory. FUNAI has reported that the funds necessary to demarcate the territory have been secured from the Program for the Protection of Tropical Forests, of the UN. However, not everyone is happy with the result - the mayor of nearby Novo Progresso, Juscelino Rodrigues, says that the area to be demarcated is too large, being that it extends 30km into the side of the river occupied by the municipality. Many farmers and landowners live within this area and will join the mayor in protest of the demarcation. They believe the demarcation should stop at the river.