Researching security and environmental challenges in the Amazon

I had the opportunity to travel to some of the most remote areas of the world’s largest rainforest, aiming to promote collaboration and advance research in this crucial region. Our multidisciplinary team, led by Dr Eleonora Natale and Dr Vinicius de Carvalho, explored the intersection of environmental security, public policy and militarisation in the Brazilian Amazon. We collaborated with Dr Eduardo Svartman from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Dr Ludolf Waldmann Júnior from the Federal University of Amazonas and faculty from King’s Department of War Studies, Raphael Lima and Alice Taberner.

Connecting military and environmental efforts in Manaus

Our trip began in Manaus, the capital of the State of Amazonas. At the Amazon Military Command, Dr de Carvalho delivered a lecture on Strategic Communications, and we engaged with senior officers about the military’s role in the region. Beyond tackling organised crime and its impact on the environment, we learned that the Armed Forces also provide essential services such as education, healthcare and sustenance to indigenous and local communities. We were later received by the Vice-Admiral of the 9th Naval District, where discussions centred on the limitations and successes of naval operations in the Amazon’s challenging river systems.

The following day, we travelled to the northwestern Amazon region known as “Dog’s Head” (Cabeça do Cachorro), at the border with Venezuela and Colombia. We visited the 2nd Jungle Infantry Brigade in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, where officers had organised several activities for us to understand the mission of the Army in real time. We witnessed first-hand the making of civil-military relations in a context where other State institutions are somewhat absent, along with the difficulties for human settlements in the jungle. This experience was enriched by the privilege of spending time with the soldiers who serve in the heart of the dense, unforgiving jungle, which, in the words of the General of the Brigade Nilton Rodrigues, “doesn’t want you there.”

We also visited the military hospital in the city, where medical staff explained the challenges that come with navigating the vast cultural differences related to concepts of life and death in the region. This insight illuminated the complex dynamics between the military and indigenous communities.

To enhance our understanding further, the Army took us to four isolated indigenous communities. Entering these areas, which could only be accessed by small boats, we were accompanied by an indigenous soldier who facilitated our introduction. Visiting schools and churches allowed us to gain deeper insights into their unique cultures, languages, and the often-overlooked relationship between the state, military and indigenous populations.

Combatting environmental and security threats on the Amazon's borders

My adrenaline peaked as we flew over vast stretches of jungle to reach the 7th Special Border Platoon in Tunuí-Cachoeira, on the border with Colombia. This specialised force combats illegal mining and drug trafficking—activities that pose serious threats to both indigenous communities and wildlife. This visit provided us with a unique window into the lives of the soldiers and their families who serve in such an isolated and challenging environment, gaining insight into how the Brazilian Army works to protect the environment and uphold national sovereignty in this remote frontier.

Throughout the trip, Dr Natale conducted interviews with middle and high-ranking officials from the Brigade, while Dr de Carvalho delivered a second lecture on Strategic Communications to brigade officials. Meanwhile, I joined the rest of our group for a lecture by General Nilton on the logistics of military operations in the jungle, deepening our understanding of the complexities involved. Our final stop was at the University of Amazonas State (UEA) in São Gabriel, where Professor Adilma Portela da Fonseca Torres spoke to us about the region’s rich yet under-researched archaeological heritage and the threats it faces from transnational crime.

The future of environmental security research in the Amazon

Overall, this was the most exciting and thought-provoking week I’ve ever experienced. Many aspects of defence and security in the Amazon are both unique and underexplored, prompting discussions on future projects. These include publishing a special issue in an international peer-reviewed journal, drafting a policy paper aimed at governmental bodies, NGOs and the general public, and establishing a permanent research network to assess the military’s role in Amazonian development.

As an undergraduate student accompanying researchers on this trip, I had the privilege of witnessing the global reach of King’s academics and seeing their impact in environmental and Latin American security first hand. The collaborations with Brazilian universities demonstrated the importance of fostering meaningful partnerships that transcend geographical and disciplinary boundaries. For me, as a Brazilian student at King’s, it was especially meaningful to see such a strong commitment to conducting relevant and impactful research in my home country.