Migration And Reception Of The Warao Indigenous People In The Northern Amazonian Frontier: Operation Acolhida And The Cases Of The Janokoida And Waraotuma A Tuaranoko Shelters

Abstract

This article examines the migration of the Warao indigenous people to Brazil’s northern Amazonian border region in the context of the worsening Venezuelan humanitarian crisis, as well as the institutional, social, and cultural challenges related to the reception policies adopted by the Brazilian State. The empirical focus is on Operation Welcome (Operação Acolhida), established in 2018, with particular emphasis on the Janokoida shelter in Pacaraima and the Waraotuma a Tuaranoko shelter in Boa Vista, both primarily designed to host the Warao population. The study employs a qualitative approach based on documentary research, normative analysis, and fieldwork, integrating institutional data, official reports, and empirical observations. The findings indicate that, although Operation Welcome represents a significant advancement in Brazil’s response to the migration crisis, the Warao people present specific demands that go beyond conventional migration frameworks, requiring public policies that are sensitive to ethnic, cultural, and territorial dimensions. The article concludes that the reception of Warao indigenous migrants remains an ongoing challenge for the Brazilian State, calling for the expansion and continuous improvement of interinstitutional actions aimed at protecting indigenous rights and promoting dignified and sustainable social integration.