Indigenous Leader Raoni recovering in intensive care following surgery in Brazil

Sunday 21 June 2026 - 08:00

Raoni Metuktire, one of the world's most recognized Indigenous leaders and a prominent defender of the Amazon rainforest, is recovering in intensive care after undergoing surgery for an intestinal obstruction in Brazil.

According to medical officials, the procedure was successfully completed without complications. Doctors performed a minimally invasive operation designed to restore normal intestinal function and are continuing to monitor his recovery closely.

The 94-year-old leader was initially hospitalized in the Amazonian state of Mato Grosso after experiencing serious health problems, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and severe dehydration. He was later transferred to a specialized hospital in São Paulo, where medical teams carried out the surgical intervention.

Hospital authorities reported that Raoni remains under intensive medical supervision and is receiving antibiotics and supportive care. While his condition had been described as serious, doctors indicated that he was stable before the operation and expressed cautious optimism regarding his recovery.

Raoni is widely respected for his decades-long campaign to protect the Amazon rainforest and defend the rights of Indigenous peoples. Throughout his life, he has traveled extensively, meeting heads of state, religious leaders, and international organizations to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the challenges facing Indigenous communities.

His advocacy has focused on issues such as deforestation, climate change, illegal land exploitation, and the protection of traditional territories. As one of the most influential voices for the Amazon, Raoni has become an international symbol of environmental stewardship and Indigenous resistance.

The news of his hospitalization has prompted messages of support from environmental activists, Indigenous organizations, and public figures across Brazil and around the world. Many view his work as crucial to ongoing efforts to preserve the Amazon, one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.

As he continues his recovery, supporters remain hopeful that the veteran Indigenous leader will regain his strength and continue inspiring global efforts to protect the environment and Indigenous rights.