Brazil’s Roswell

In January 1996, the city of Varginha, Brazil became the site of one of South America’s most famous UFO cases. Multiple witnesses reported seeing strange creatures, allegedly captured by military and fire department personnel, with one soldier reportedly dying from contact.

The Setting

Varginha:

• Minas Gerais state
• Southern Brazil
• Population ~120,000
• Coffee industry
• Quiet city

The Night Before

January 19, 1996:

• NORAD allegedly contacted Brazil
• UFO tracked entering atmosphere
• Crashed near Varginha
• According to later reports
• Starting the incident

The Creature Sighting

January 20, afternoon:

• Three young women
• Walking home
• Saw strange being
• In vacant lot
• Terrified them

The Witnesses

Liliane and Valquíria Silva:

• Sisters
• And friend Kátia Xavier
• Ages 14-22
• Consistent testimony
• Traumatized

The Being Description

They described:

• About 5 feet tall
• Dark brown skin
• Large red eyes
• Three bumps on head
• Crouched position

Additional Features

The creature:

• Oily-looking skin
• No clothing
• Thin limbs
• Big head
• Strong ammonia smell

Girls’ Reaction

The witnesses:

• Ran in terror
• Told family
• Mother investigated
• Found nothing
• Story spread

Fire Department Response

Earlier that day:

• Fire department called
• Animal capture reported
• Suspicious timing
• Official denials
• Witness reports conflict

Military Presence

Army involved:

• Trucks seen
• Soldiers active
• Something transported
• Covered cargo
• Hospital destinations

Hospital Events

Regional Hospital:

• Strange activity reported
• Military presence
• Restricted areas
• Staff sworn to secrecy
• Rumors spread

Marco Eli Chereze

Military policeman:

• Allegedly handled creature
• Became ill
• Died within weeks
• Official cause: infection
• Family suspects more

Second Creature

Another sighting:

• Different location
• More witnesses
• Similar description
• Nighttime
• Captured allegedly

The Investigation

Researchers arrived:

• Vitório Pacaccini
• Ubirajara Rodrigues
• Interviewed witnesses
• Documented case
• Published findings

Official Denials

Authorities claimed:

• No such event
• No creatures
• Witnesses mistaken
• Perhaps dwarf seen
• Nothing unusual

The “Mudinho”

Alternative explanation:

• Local homeless man
• Mentally disabled
• Seen in area
• Officially blamed
• Witnesses disagree

Witness Consistency

Despite pressure:

• Stories matched
• Details consistent
• No profit motive
• Maintained accounts
• For decades

International Attention

Case attracted:

• Global media
• UFO researchers
• Documentary filmmakers
• Ongoing interest
• Books published

Significance

Varginha significant for:

• Multiple witnesses
• Alleged captures
• Military involvement
• Death connection
• South American importance

Legacy

The Varginha incident remains Brazil’s most famous UFO case, often called “Brazil’s Roswell.” The multiple witnesses, alleged military response, and consistent testimony keep researchers returning to this case.