Homeless man accused of attacking Venezuelans in Brazil

SAO PAULO – Brazilian police say they have arrested a homeless man accused of attacking Venezuelan migrants in Boa Vista — a city in northeastern Brazil that’s coping with a wave of migrants from the struggling neighbouring nation.

Police investigator Cristiano Camapum says 42-year-old Gordon Fowler has confessed to both attacks over the past week. Four adults and a 3-year-old child were injured when incendiary devices were hurled at two residences.

Camapum told reporters that Fowler was arrested Saturday at an abandoned building and said he was angered because he felt Venezuelans were taking his place on the streets.

Officials estimate some 40,000 Venezuelans have flooded into Boa Vista, fleeing hunger and unrest in their homeland.

Fowler is from Guyana, another nation close to Boa Vista, capital of Roraima state.