A man "founded" a country and tried to get a piece of the Amazon for 1000 years (3 photos)

The self-proclaimed "Kailash Nation" founded by fugitive guru Swami Nityananda has signed 1,000-year-old land leases with indigenous peoples in Bolivia. Authorities have declared the agreements invalid and deported the participants.





Bolivian authorities have arrested 20 people associated with the so-called "Kailash Nation" after they signed centuries-old land leases for vast tracts of land in the Amazon with indigenous tribes. The agreements, according to the New York Times, included not only land transfers but also airspace and natural resources.

Kailasa, founded by Nityananda, a fugitive guru accused of kidnapping, sexual assault, and rape, billed itself as a "sanctuary for Hindus." After fleeing India in 2019, he allegedly bought an island off the coast of Ecuador, where he declared a new state. Its representatives have since sought international recognition, attending UN meetings and striking deals with organizations including the Newark mayor's office in the United States.



In Bolivia, members of Kailasa contacted indigenous peoples at the end of 2024, promising to help fight forest fires. As a result, one of the groups, the Baure, signed a 25-year lease with an annual payment of $200,000. However, it later turned out that the documents contained a 1,000-year lease. Baure leader Pedro Guasico said: "We made a mistake by listening to them. It was an absolute lie."

After the scandal, all agreements were canceled, and the detainees were deported to their countries of citizenship - India, the United States and China. Bolivia has officially confirmed that it does not recognize the "United States of Kailasa" and does not maintain diplomatic relations with them.

Nityananda, who calls himself the "supreme pontiff of Hinduism," is known for his eccentric statements, including a promise to live at least 150 years and claims to be a divinity. At a UN meeting in Geneva, his representative asked for international protection from "religious persecution."