Varginha Witnesses Meet U.S. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill
Brazilian witnesses from the 1996 Varginha UFO incident, including neurosurgeon Italo Venturelli, met with U.S. lawmakers Anna Paulina Luna and Tim Burchett on Capitol Hill to discuss the case on its 30th anniversary.
Background
On January 30, 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of the Varginha UFO incident, Brazilian witnesses traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill.
Background
The 1996 Varginha incident in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is one of the most well-documented UFO cases in Latin American history. Multiple witnesses reported encounters with unusual beings, and the case has been the subject of ongoing investigation for three decades. The meetings were facilitated by journalist Leslie Kean, investigative reporter Ralph Blumenthal, and documentary filmmaker James Fox.
Key Details
Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Tim Burchett, both vocal advocates for UAP transparency in Congress, met with Brazilian witnesses including neurosurgeon Dr. Italo Venturelli. The meetings brought international UAP case evidence directly to U.S. legislative attention, representing a significant cross-border collaboration in UAP disclosure efforts.
Significance
First time Brazilian Varginha witnesses met directly with U.S. lawmakers, expanding UAP disclosure efforts beyond domestic cases to international incidents.