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SAO PAULO: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claimed that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest.
Bolsonaro appeared to be commenting on social media postings claiming that the environmental organisation the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had paid for images taken by volunteer firefighters that it then supposedly used to solicit donations, including a $500,000 contribution from DiCaprio.
The WWF has denied receiving a donation from DiCaprio or obtaining photos from the firefighters.
“This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon,” Bolsonaro said on Friday during brief remarks in front of the presidential residence.
DiCaprio denied having donated to the WWF. In a statement, the actor lauded “the people of Brazil working to save their natural and cultural heritage.” But he said, “While worthy of support, we did not fund the organisations targeted.”
DiCaprio has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of combating climate change, speaking frequently about environmental issues including the Amazon forest
His Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which is focused on projects that “protect vulnerable wildlife from extinction,” is part of the Earth Alliance.
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Four members of the nongovernmental organization Alter do Chao Fire Brigade were arrested on Tuesday with police accusing them of purposefully setting fires in order to document them and drum up more donations.
Politicians and other NGOs fiercely criticised the arrest, saying it was part of a concerted attempt by Bolsonaro’s government to harass environmental groups.
Scientists and activists blame land speculators, farmers and ranchers for setting the fires to clear land for agricultural use, saying that deforesters are being emboldened by Bolsonaro’s rhetoric of promoting development and farming over preservation. The Amazon rainforest is considered a bulwark against global climate change.
Bolsonaro has repeatedly lashed out at various factions in casting blame for the forest fires. In a Facebook live post on Aug. 21, he said, “Everything indicates” that NGOs were going to the Amazon to set fire” to the forest.
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