On April 13 and 14, 2026, indigenous leaders from Brazil and Venezuela met at the Novo Paraíso Indigenous Community, in the municipality of Pacaraima, in the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, to hold the VII Meeting of Indigenous Peoples of the Brazil/Venezuela Border. This was the first edition of the event held in indigenous territory on the Brazilian side.
The meeting brought together several communities located on the border between the two countries, a region marked by an intense flow of people and social and structural challenges. From Brazil, communities such as Canta Galo, Pedreira, Sapá, Cumanã, Novo Paraíso, Pedra do Sol, Maloquinha, Barro, Nova Vitória, São Miguel, Mato Grosso and São Joaquim participated.
From Venezuela, indigenous leaders from Maurak, Kamarata-Kanaimö, Uriman, San Antonio de Morichal, Turasen, Vonken, Warama, Kavanayen, Vurupo, Pratawaka, Caracol and Waramasen were present.
One of the main highlights of the program took place on the 14th, with the participation of the Legal Department of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), in a dialogue table on the rights of indigenous peoples in border regions, with an emphasis on the theme "Health and indigenous peoples of the border". Representing the body were lawyer Junior Nicacio Wapichana and Luciane Macuxi.
During the debate, Dr. Junior Nicácio highlighted"The importance of community social organization and universal access to health, that this right must be guaranteed without any form of discrimination, including for indigenous peoples in situations of cross-border mobility. As instruments of protection, we have the Federal Constitution of 1988 and Convention No. 169 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), which ensure specific rights to indigenous peoples."
The leaders also reported difficulties faced by indigenous people who need care on the Brazilian side of the border, especially when they are not in official health system vehicles. They pointed out the need to create specific and more humanized protocols for care in cross-border contexts.
On the occasion, an agreement built between the indigenous communities of the Brazil-Venezuela border region was delivered to the authorities, consolidating demands and proposals presented during the event.
As a referral, the Legal Department of the CIR announced that it will send letters to the competent bodies requesting the holding of an interinstitutional meeting to discuss concrete measures and improve health care in the indigenous communities of the border strip, with a focus on ensuring access in urgent and emergency situations, in addition to respect for the territorial and cultural specificities of these peoples.
Photos: Igor Nunes (Funai/RR) and Gessica Macuxi (Wakywaa Network - Surumu Region).