SOUTH RUPUNUNI COUNCIL DISTANCES ITSELF FROM RODRIGO CATARATAS AMID MARUDI MINING CONTROVERSY

By| Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) has officially distanced itself from Rodrigo Cataratas (born Rodrigo Martins de Mello), a Brazilian investor whose alleged activities at Marudi Mountain have sparked a national security and human rights debate. In a definitive statement issued on March 7, 2026, the Council clarified that it maintains no formal relationship with Cataratas and was unaware of his criminal history in Brazil until recently.

The controversy centers on Marudi Mountain, a gold-rich area in Region 9 that holds deep spiritual and economic significance for the Wapichan people, but has become a hotspot for illegal mining and foreign incursion.

The “Convicted Individual” Revelation

The SRDC’s move follows public revelations concerning Cataratas’ legal troubles in his home country.

• Brazilian Conviction: Rodrigo Cataratas was recently sentenced to over 22 years in prison by a Brazilian federal court for leading a massive illegal mining organization in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory. His operations were linked to severe environmental degradation, mercury poisoning, and the death of Indigenous children in the Amazon.
• Guyanese Connection: Reports suggest Cataratas had been seeking high-level investment meetings in Guyana to expand his mining footprint. The SRDC noted that while they knew of his interest in Marudi, they were “unaware that he had been a convicted individual” until information began circulating on social media.
• Village Oversight: On February 7, the SRDC held an emergency meeting with all Toshaos (village leaders) of the South Rupununi, urging them to exercise “greater due diligence” and avoid signing any agreements with outside actors without Council review.

Illegal Airstrips and Aerial Surveillance

The Council has intensified its own monitoring of the Marudi area, following disturbing reports of unauthorized aerial activity.

• Suspected Airstrips: Indigenous rangers have been working to document and locate illegal airstrips in remote sections of the mountain.
• Logistics Support: There are active reports of planes and helicopters landing in the region to transport fuel, supplies, and miners to support illegal operations, mirroring the tactics used by Cataratas’ network in the Brazilian Amazon.

Tension and Allegations of Manipulation

The mining surge has created a rift within the local leadership. Allegations have surfaced online suggesting that some Toshaos were “pressured, manipulated, or even paid” to facilitate access to traditional lands. The SRDC has advised all leaders to report any solicitation by investors immediately to prevent “questionable dealings.”

Stakeholder Engagement: March 16, 2026

To address the crisis, the SRDC has scheduled a major stakeholder meeting for March 16.

• The Agenda: The future of Marudi Mountain, the documented evidence of illegal mining, and the strategy to remove unauthorized foreign actors.
• The Priority: The Council maintains that the protection of Indigenous lands and natural resources remains the central priority, especially as mercury contamination continues to threaten downstream villages like Parabara.