‘The new Dubai’? Oil discovery fuels hopes and fears in Brazil’s Amazon town
OIAPOQUE, Sept 19 — Indigenous chief Wagner Karipuna gazes worriedly at the tranquil river flowing past his villag...
Oiapoque, a town on Brazil's northern Amazon coast, buzzes with anticipation as Petrobras has discovered potential oil reserves about 175 kilometers off the coast. Indigenous chief Wagner Karipuna, who lives in the nearby village of Manga, is wary of the environmental risks. Karipuna, 57, fears that a spill could devastate his community, as the Curipi River flows through his village. Petrobras insists that there is a low probability of an oil leak reaching the coast.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is re-election hopeful, sees the oil as a "passport to the future." However, many residents are divided between the potential economic benefits and the environmental concerns. The town, once impoverished, now faces an influx of new residents as people hope for a better life. Mayor Inacio Monteiro Maciel remains optimistic, despite the challenges of rebuilding infrastructure and social programs. The town's mayor even describes Oiapoque as "the new Dubai."
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
