NATIONAL Press Club UFO Event Key Takeaways - Varginha Case

On January 20, 2026, filmmaker James Fox hosted a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., marking the 30th anniversary of the Varginha UFO incident in Brazil. According to James, six witnesses had their visas denied despite nine months of effort involving an immigration lawyer and Congressman Eric Burlison’s office. Fox returned to Brazil on what he described as a covert mission to record video statements from those who could not attend.

Three Brazilian witnesses did make it to Washington, however. Carlos de Sousa, a geography teacher and pilot, testified that he witnessed a craft crash on January 13, 1996. According to his account, he picked up metallic debris that returned to its original shape after being crumpled. He stated that soldiers forced him to leave at gunpoint, and shortly after, men in a dark vehicle with no license plate approached him at a gas station, called him by name, knew his address and family details, and threatened him to stay silent.

Dr. Armando Fortunato, a forensic pathologist, discussed his autopsy of 23-year-old military police officer Marco Eli Cherez, who allegedly captured one of the beings with his bare hands. According to Dr. Fortunato, Cherez died from a highly virulent, drug-resistant bacterial infection weeks after the incident. A written statement from pathologist Dr. Joan Janini, read at the conference, described the bacterium as going beyond conventional infection and raised the hypothesis of alien origin. Janini stated they are awaiting legal procedures to exhume the body for further testing.

National Press Club January 20th, 2026

Dr. Italo Venturelli, a neurosurgeon with nearly five decades of experience, revealed he kept his encounter secret for 29 years. According to his testimony, he observed a living non-human being at the Baria Regional Hospital on January 20, 1996. He described a creature resembling a seven-year-old child with lilac teardrop-shaped eyes, white skin, thin arms, and three fingers with an opposing thumb. He stated the being displayed intelligence and perception higher than human beings.

Retired Air Force Colonel Fred Clawson addressed the alleged US military involvement. According to Clawson, Brazilian authorities including air traffic controller Marcos Ferz reported that a US Air Force C-17 cargo plane landed at Viracopos Airport in Campinas around January 20, 1996, loaded unusual cargo, and departed to an unknown US location. Clawson estimated 30 to 40 Americans would have direct knowledge of such a mission and called on participants to come forward.

Fox revealed his team filed a FOIA request in 2022 regarding the alleged flight. According to Fox, the CIA denied the request three years later, citing the 1949 National Security Act.

Congressman Eric Burlison, a member of the House Oversight Committee and UAP Disclosure Task Force, attended the conference. He called for passage of the UAP Disclosure Act and whistleblower protection legislation, stating that no government should withhold information about whether humanity is alone in the universe.

Sources

Gomez, C. (2026, January 15). 8 Brazilian UFO witnesses denied entry to U.S. to address encounter. UFO News. https://www.ufonews.co/post/8-brazilian-ufo-witnesses-denied-entry-to-u-s-to-address-encounter

Ross Coulthart. (2026, January 20). FULL PRESSER: James Fox shares Varginha, Brazil UFO Testimony (No Commentary) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAf0i1H1TBg