Bolsonaro: Fighting Crime Is Critical to Preserving the Amazon
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Despite the high rate of deforestation in the Amazon forest this year compared to 2019, President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday, August 11th, that Brazil is unfairly criticized by other countries in the world that have an interest in the region. He said that “this story that the Amazon is burning up in flames is a lie. We must fight this with true numbers. And that’s what we’re doing,” the Brazilian President said during the 2nd Presidential Summit of the Leticia Pact for Amazonia, by videoconference.
Bolsonaro recalled that in July, Brazil reported a 28 percent reduction in deforestation compared to 2019, but failed to mention that the year-to-date figures show a 34 percent increase in deforestation. The data are from the National Institute of Space Research (INPE), which the President criticized in the past.
“We know how unfairly we are criticized by many countries in the world. We must persist, with perseverance, with determination and with truth. This region is very rich, it is virtually what is left of the world in terms of environmental issues and natural wealth. We will endure,” said Bolsonaro to the other presidents of the Amazon countries. The statement was translated simultaneously.
“Our commitment is great, it’s enormous in the fight against structural fires and deforestation. In July this year, considering July last year, we recorded a 28 percent decrease in deforestation or burning in the region. But despite this, we are still being criticized. After all, Brazil is a power in agribusiness,” said the Brazilian president.
Bolsonaro also told other heads of state in the region that his government’s policy is “zero tolerance” against environmental crimes. “Our policy is one of zero tolerance, not only for common crime, but also for the environmental issue. Fighting crime is critical to preserving our Amazon, but that’s not all, we must also encourage sustainable development in the region.”
Source: Estadão Conteúdo
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