Indigenous Leader Raoni Metuktire Undergoes Successful Surgery

Brazilian indigenous leader and renowned Amazon defender Raoni Metuktire, aged 94, has undergone a successful intestinal decompression surgery. The procedure, performed on Saturday at the São Paulo hospital where he has been admitted since Friday, was described as "without complications" by hospital officials.

The surgery utilized a "minimally invasive technique to restore intestinal transit," according to a medical report from the Hospital São Paulo, which is affiliated with the Paulista School of Medicine at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp). Following the intervention, the indigenous leader was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for ongoing treatment with antibiotics and clinical support.

Metuktire was flown to the São Paulo hospital on Friday to continue treatment for medical issues that had led to his hospitalization in intensive care since the previous Sunday in the state of Mato Grosso. The kayapó ethnic leader was initially admitted to a hospital in Sinop, near his residence in the Peixoto de Azevedo region, suffering from a severe infection, respiratory problems, and a stomach obstruction.

Doctors stated that his health condition is considered serious but stable. Raoni Metuktire, born in the Kapot village in Mato Grosso, has been a prominent advocate for the Amazon's natural resources since the 1970s, opposing projects like the Trans-Amazonian Highway during Brazil's military dictatorship. His global profile rose significantly in 1989 when he accompanied British musician Sting on an international tour, solidifying his position as a respected voice for indigenous peoples among international authorities.