Brazil's Civil Police recently dismantled a clandestine training center operated by the criminal organization Comando Vermelho within an indigenous territory in Mato Grosso. This action came after an extensive ten-month investigation revealing that the facility was training adolescents and young members in combat, survival techniques, and the handling of heavy weaponry. This operation is part of a larger battle for drug trafficking routes between rival gangs, particularly with the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC).

The investigation led by Delegate Fábio Nahas found no evidence indicating that the local indigenous community was involved in these criminal activities. However, it is suspected that gang members coerced the community into accepting the training operations on their land, highlighting the complex dynamics of crime and community relations in vulnerable regions. The training took place in a flooded and inaccessible area near the São Lourenço River, within the Tereza Cristina Indigenous Land in Santarém.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous communities in Brazil, especially in areas where organized crime aims to assert control over trade routes. The implications of such operations extend beyond immediate law enforcement actions, as they pose threats to indigenous rights, community safety, and the integrity of their lands. The police's proactive measures may be essential in addressing the infiltration of organized crime into these vulnerable territories.