By Lisandra Paraguassu and Leonardo Benassatto

BELEM, Brazil (Reuters) -At 93 years old, Indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire is urging Brazil to empower native peoples to preserve the Amazon rainforest and has warned that plans to build infrastructure in the region are a direct threat to the forest and its people.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Tuesday with Reuters, the leader known widely as Chief Raoni warned that proposed highways, rail projects and oil wells would harm people across the world.

“These projects destroy rivers and lands and they are continuing to do it. I don’t like it. I had said long ago that there will be many very bad consequences for us,” Raoni said, speaking in his native language of Kayapo with his grandson translating. “It will be very bad for us. And for

See Full Page