The U.S. is standing by to assist Brazil’s fight against the ongoing fires in the Amazon rainforest.
Deputy assistant to the president Garrett Marquis tweeted Wednesday that the U.S. has a long history of helping Brazil with conservation. He also addressed controversy surrounding aid to Brazil from the G-7 conference, noting that the U.S. wanted to make sure Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was involved in the discussions.
“The US stands ready to assist Brazil in efforts to combat fires in the Amazon. We didn’t agree to a G7 initiative that failed to include consultations w/@jairbolsonaro. The most constructive way to assist w/ Brazil’s ongoing efforts is in coordination w/ the Brazilian Gov.” Marquis said, adding, “The United States has a strong history of meaningful engagement in Brazil on conservation, forestry, and biodiversity, including the $80 million Partnership for Conservation of Amazon Biodiversity.”
The US stands ready to assist Brazil in efforts to combat fires in the Amazon. We didn’t agree to a G7 initiative that failed to include consultations w/ @jairbolsonaro. The most constructive way to assist w/ Brazil’s ongoing efforts is in coordination w/ the Brazilian Gov. (1/2)
— Garrett Marquis (@GMarquis45) August 28, 2019
The United States has a strong history of meaningful engagement in Brazil on conservation, forestry, and biodiversity, including the $80 million Partnership for Conservation of Amazon Biodiversity. (2/2)
— Garrett Marquis (@GMarquis45) August 28, 2019
Bolsonaro, 64, said he would only take a $22 million aid package pledged during the G-7 summit to fight the fires if French President Emmanuel Macron apologized to him for insinuating that Brazil doesn’t have sovereignty over the Amazon.
“First of all, Macron has to withdraw his insults. He called me a liar. Before we talk or accept anything from France … he must withdraw these words then we can talk,” Bolsonaro said Tuesday. “First he withdraws, then offers (aid), then I will answer.”
According to Brazil’s space agency, fires in the world’s largest rainforest are up more than 80%. Bolsonaro drew protests in cities across the world after he made unfounded claims that the blazes were being set by environmental groups and nongovernmental organizations.
Local media has reported that farmers have been setting fires to clear land for additional development since Bolsonaro, who has been less stringent on environmental protection, took office in January. In addition to the fires, there has been increasing deforestation in Brazil.
