Between October and December 1977, the island of Colares in Pará, Brazil, was gripped by a series of mysterious aerial phenomena later dubbed the “Chupa‑Chupa” incidents (Portuguese slang meaning “sucker‑sucker”), named for the eerie beams of light locals believed were draining energy or blood from victims.
Dozens of residents sought medical attention for circular burns, puncture wounds, hair loss, anemia, nausea, and paralysis. Some serious cases were reported to have resulted in death.
The local health official, Dr. Wellaide Carvalho, treated approximately 40 burn cases, some of which appeared within minutes, far faster than typical burns. Two victims reportedly died.
Operation Saucer (Operação Prato)
In response to escalating fear, the Brazilian Air Force launched Operation Saucer, led by Captain UyrangĂŞ Hollanda and his team. Their mission:
- Document sightings—reportedly over 500 encounters—and collect photographs, film footage, maps, and sketches.
- Interview hundreds of local witnesses and patients in Colares and nearby villages.
- Record objects described as luminous discs and probes observed performing high-speed maneuvers and hovering behavior.
The operation officially concluded in late December 1977 after a few months. While military documents claimed no unusual phenomena were found, the extensive collected materials remained classified.
Captain Hollanda’s Testimony & Aftermath
In 1997, two decades after the events, Captain Hollanda spoke with UFO researchers, revealing he had personally witnessed several UFO incidents and eye injuries consistent with burns from these lights.
His death shortly thereafter was officially ruled a suicide, though conspiracy theories argue otherwise.
Ufologist Ademar José Gevaerd (Revista UFO) later revealed classified documents showing at least nine types of unidentified objects involved.
Theories & Speculation
- Extraterrestrial origin: consistent burn and anemia symptoms led some to suspect alien energy/hypnosis beams.
- Secret military tech: former US intelligence official Christopher Elizondo suggested Colares sightings might have involved covert US or Soviet craft. Brazil may have downplayed the case to avoid diplomatic fallout.
- Mass hysteria or natural phenomena: skeptics argue the “attacks” were exaggerations or misinterpreted lights, though the physical injuries challenge such explanations.
Documents & Cultural Legacy
In 2005, Brazilian UFO researchers were allowed to view roughly 110 photos and 160 documents from the operation—these archives remain tightly controlled.
The files reportedly include film footage of luminous objects diving into MarajĂł Bay.
The case continues to influence popular culture, including Netflix’s “Alien Investigation” and the Globoplay podcast “Operation Prato.”
Have There Been Recent Sightings?
So far, nothing as dramatic has recurred in Colares, though there are occasional UFO narratives in the broader region of Pará and northern Brazil. Some ufologists mention sightings near Vigia, but without physical injuries or strong documentation.
Recent online updates caution against viral hoaxes; no verified UFO flights or artifacts have emerged since
Summary & Ongoing Mysteries
- Key Question: What We Know
- Were people really harmed? Medical accounts support unusual burns and anemia—hard to dismiss.
- Was it extraterrestrial? Eyewitnesses & Hollanda believed so, but no definitive proof.
- Government/FAB role: Initially dismissed publicly, but hidden archives show serious engagement.
- New events? None with similar scope or physical injuries. Digital claims remain unverified.
Final Thoughts
The Colares UFO incident remains one of the most compelling and controversial UFO flaps recorded, especially due to the reported physical effects on dozens of people and the direct involvement of the Brazilian Air Force. The secrecy and the captain’s testimony keep it alive in UFO folklore.
While newer claims may fuel local lore, nothing matches the seriousness of the 1977 events. Whether extraterrestrials, covert tech, or misclassified natural events, the mystery endures—alongside a trove of untapped military documents and eyewitness stories. Lon
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