Indigenous protest closes Amazon highway in Brazil

People from the Indigenous group Kayapo Mekragnotire have set up a roadblock on one of the main highways through Brazil's Amazon.

The group is protesting against what they say is a lack of health care for their community from the federal government during the pandemic, and in opposition to infrastructure projects they say threatens their land.

After closing the road for over 24 hours the Indigenous activists on Tuesday opened it to trucks parked for miles.

The Indigenous protesters are camping out next their roadblock as they prepare to continue to block trucks carrying produce and other goods from Pará State for shipment out of the region.

The Indigenous activists say they will keep the highway closed until federal authorities show up and negotiate with them over issues they say have been ignored by the Bolsonaro Administration.

The Kayapo live in several reserves in Pará State, amidst virgin rainforest that is under increasing threat by ranchers, loggers and gold miners.