The Observatory for the Human Rights of Isolated and Recently Contacted Indigenous Peoples (OPI) expresses its sadness and solidarity at the death of Paulo Marubo, a leader of the Marubo people of the Javari Valley and of the Amazonian indigenous movement, where he left a very important political legacy.

Paulo was hospitalised in Manaus for treatment of chronic hepatitis symptoms and died on Saturday (3). He was the coordinator of the Union of Indigenous Peoples of the Javari Valley (Univaja) and led the search for Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips when they disappeared in the region in 2022. As well as being an outstanding leader, Paulo was a teacher and responsible for creating Univaja's territorial monitoring team, the EVU.

At this time of sadness, Opi mourns Paulo Marubo's departure and remembers his legacy, in solidarity with his family, friends and the Marubo people.