Brazil: Troops protecting Amazon tribe after violent protest by farmers

BRASILIA, Brazil – Brazil’s government says it has sent elite police and some soldiers to a remote area of the Amazon to protect an indigenous tribe following violent protests by local farmers over alleged kidnappings by the tribe.

Brazil’s Defence Ministry would not say Monday how many troops were sent to the area in Amazonas state, calling that information a strategic concern.

Farmers accuse members of the Tenharim tribe of kidnapping three local men, allegedly in retaliation for the early December death of a tribe leader. The farmers set fire to offices of the federal indigenous affairs agency last week in protest.

The tribe denies kidnapping anyone but say they want their leader’s death investigated, as they suspect foul play. Police say the man died in a Dec. 3 motorcycle accident.