Brazilian indigenous leader Raoni admitted to intensive care

Sunday 17 May 2026 - 09:00

Recognizable for his traditional lip plate, renowned Indigenous chief Raoni Metuktire has become one of the world’s most influential defenders of the Amazon rainforest. The Brazilian leader was admitted to an intensive care unit on Saturday after experiencing respiratory complications, according to medical sources.

Doctors stated that the 93-year-old Indigenous leader was transferred to intensive care as a precautionary measure at a hospital in Sinop, located in central-western Brazil. Medical staff added that his condition remains stable and under close observation.

Raoni had already been hospitalized earlier this month for treatment related to a hernia. He also suffers from chronic respiratory illness and heart problems. Following a new health setback, he returned to the hospital on Thursday for additional medical care.

For decades, Raoni has traveled internationally to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the Amazon rainforest, the largest tropical forest on Earth. Throughout his activism, he has met presidents, religious leaders, monarchs, and environmental advocates to discuss threats facing the region, including deforestation, river pollution, and climate change.

Born in the village of Kapot in the state of Mato Grosso, Raoni first encountered non-Indigenous people at the age of 20. He became widely known in Brazil during the 1970s for opposing the construction of the Trans-Amazonian Highway during the military dictatorship era.

His international profile grew significantly in 1989 after meeting British musician Sting during a campaign in the Amazon, helping bring global attention to Indigenous communities and environmental preservation efforts.