Capital of Amazonas, hub of the Amazon rainforest
Indigenous Ashaninka communities face increased incursions as criminal groups expand drug routes along the Amazon border. Brazil is negotiating a cross-border protection framework and has deployed security forces after armed assaults. Indigenous leaders seek sustained protection and state presence to counter trafficking and environmental crime.
The Supreme Court has unsealed documents in the Banco Master probe, showing Senator Bolsonaro is under investigation for possible money laundering, corruption and other crimes linked to financier Daniel Vorcaro. The probe, opened in July by Justice Mendonca at the request of federal police, adds pressure to a presidential race where Lula and Bolsonaro are locked in a close contest ahead of the Oct. 4 vote.
As Brazil heads to a high-stakes presidential vote, Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro remain the leading contenders. Voters will decide whether Lula secures a fourth term or Bolsonaro returns his family to power. The race also shapes Brazil’s stance on the Amazon and relations with the United States, with a broad field of other races on Sunday’s ballot.
Fires across the Brazilian Amazon have tripled since Oct. 4, with authorities citing deliberate patterns in protected areas. Manaus faces smoke impact as elections near a runoff between Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva. The government has deployed resources to firefighting and investigations into arson, while political discourse intensifies around environmental policy.