Brazil: Indigenous leader Raoni in intensive care after surgery

Indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire, a globally recognized advocate for the Amazon rainforest, is in intensive care after undergoing surgery for an intestinal blockage. The 94-year-old chief had been hospitalized in serious condition with severe dehydration, abdominal pain, and vomiting before being transferred to a São Paulo hospital.

His surgery, described as a "minimally invasive" procedure to restore intestinal transit, was successful, according to the hospital. He is currently receiving antibiotics and supportive care. Metuktire had previously been hospitalized in May for a hernia and later for respiratory and cardiac issues.

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The surgery went ahead without complication.

Known for his distinctive headdress and his tireless efforts to protect the Amazon, Metuktire has met with presidents, monarchs, and popes. He has consistently pleaded the case for the world's largest tropical rainforest, which faces significant threats from climate change, river pollution, and deforestation.

Metuktire's advocacy has brought international attention to the plight of indigenous communities and the environmental challenges facing the Amazon. His health concerns highlight the ongoing vulnerability of both the rainforest and its defenders.

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The cacique underwent a deobstruction surgery, performed using a minimally invasive technique, to restore intestinal transit.