Paraguay investigates influencer for allegedly bribing indigenous leaders

Paraguayan authorities are examining legal measures to address allegations against influencer Nathan Seastrand, known as "the yankiguayo." Seastrand faces accusations of attempting to film indigenous communities, including those in voluntary isolation, without proper authorization.

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In a second visit, we managed to get some community members drunk to obtain these permits.

The Institute of Paraguayan Indigenous Affairs (Indi) met with members of Ayoreo communities in Alto Paraguay to discuss the situation. The communities claim Seastrand offered bribes, such as beer and cigarettes, to local leaders in exchange for permission to film their way of life. This alleged practice violates presidential decree 1039/18, which mandates prior consultation for any projects involving indigenous communities.

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The people stated that the influencer paid some people here to make a kind of illegal permit to enter, because it did not go through the corresponding channels.

Tagüide Picanerai, an attorney representing the Ayoreo people, stated that the influencer paid individuals for illegal permits, bypassing official channels. The Ayoreo communities are pushing for an urgent injunction through the Indi to prevent Seastrand from approaching their communities and to halt the publication of unauthorized images. They also seek to restrict his access to the Ayoreo Totobiegosode Natural and Cultural Heritage site, a vast territory in Alto Paraguay inhabited by both contacted Ayoreo and those living in voluntary isolation.

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The idea is to present an urgent precautionary measure, so that he (the yankiguayo) no longer approaches the communities, and even stops publishing all unauthorized images.