President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil has accused Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio of “giving money to set the Amazon on fire”. DiCaprio is famous for his environmental ‘activism’ and is a big supporter of Greta Thunber.
Several arrests have been made amid controversial allegations that fires in the Amazon were started to obtain funding.
The latest comments appear to arise from the arrest of four volunteer firefighters from northern Pará state on allegations they started fires to generate NGO donations.
President Bolsonaro’s accusations came during brief remarks at the presidential residence on Friday where he said:
“This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon.”
He gave no evidence and did not elaborate, although the statement appeared to echo a live webcast he gave on Thursday.
That revolved around the environmental organisation, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and allegations, denied by the WWF, that it had paid for images taken by the arrested firefighters, who have since been released.
Mr Bolsonaro said about this:
“So what did the NGO do? What is the easiest thing? Set fire to the forest. Take pictures, make a video. [WWF] makes a campaign against Brazil, it contacts Leonardo DiCaprio, he donates $500,000.
A part of that went to the people that were setting fires. Leonardo DiCaprio, you are contributing to the fire in the Amazon, that won’t do.”
DiCaprio respondend with a statement saying: “Although they are certainly worth supporting, we have not funded the organisations that are currently under attack.
“The future of these irreplaceable ecosystems is at stake and I am proud to be part of the groups that protect them.”
He praised “the people of Brazil working to save their natural and cultural heritage”.
WWF also said it had received no donations from the actor, whose Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation focuses on environmental projects.
Unity News Network (UNN) Staff Writer | To find out more details about our staff, please head to the About Us section on our website.
