Military environmental operation should continue in the Brazilian Amazon

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro is expected to decree a new “Law and Order Operation” (GLO) in the Amazon. The goal is to prevent the abrupt withdrawal of military personnel from the region with the end of Operation Verde-Brasil 2, which expires on April 30th.

The extension of the Armed Forces’ presence occurs after data showed record deforestation in March, amid strong international pressure against Brazil in the environmental area. According to sources, the new operation will have a more limited scope than Verde Brasil 2, also a GLO. The matter is being studied and was the subject of debate at a meeting of the Amazon Council yesterday.

Led by Vice President Hamilton Mourão, the Council comprises the ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Mines and Energy, Defense, and the Institutional Security Cabinet (GSI).

Sources say that there is the possibility of an extension of Verde Brasil or the issue of a new GLO. It is likely to employ fewer resources, men, and means, but will focus its work on the 11 most problematic municipalities in the region.

“The intention is to make a gradual transition from the work of the military to the inspection bodies,” says a military source.

Among government members and in military circles there are concerns that last month’s record deforestation will be reflected in more patch burning in the dry months mid-year, further affecting Brazil’s poor reputation in the area. In addition, the sources say, the simple withdrawal of the Armed Forces encourages illegal activities.

Images of patch burning in Brazil traveled the world in 2020, placing Bolsonaro in the position of environmental villain and under criticism from international leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron.

Now, the picture worsens without Donald Trump at his side in the international sphere. Democrat Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in the election and took over the U.S. presidency on January 20th, has put the environment as a priority and Bolsonaro in the hot seat.

Operation Verde-Brasil 2, which employed the military forces, expires on April 30th. The news started to cause concern especially after the release of the latest data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

Last week, the agency informed that deforestation alerts in the Amazon hit a record high, reaching 367 km2 in March, according to measurements of the Real-Time Deforestation Detection System (Deter). In March of the previous year, the deforested area stood at 326.9 km2.

The figure contrasts with the 19.15% reduction observed in deforestation in the last 11 months, according to the balance released by the Ministry of Defense.

According to the Ministry of Defense, more than 100,000 operations to fight environmental crimes were conducted by 2,500 military personnel and agents from environmental and public security agencies. In the period 504,000 m3 of timber were seized, as well as 2,015 vessels and 889 vehicles and tractors.

Source: Valor