Bolsonaro has presided over a wave of deforestation in the world‘s largest rainforest. (File)
Braslia:
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday criticized US Democratic candidate Joe Biden after criticizing the destruction of the Amazon rainforest during his first debate with Donald Trump.
“As the head of state who has brought Brazil-US relations closer together than never before, after decades of hostile governments in the United States, it is truly difficult to understand such a disastrous and unnecessary statement,” wrote the far-right leader. Twitter.
“What a shame, Mr. John Biden! What a shame!” he added, confusing the first name of the former vice president in the English version of his tweet.
Biden verified Brazil’s name during Tuesday’s debate by attacking Trump’s environmental and foreign policy record.
“Brazil’s tropical forests are being destroyed,” he said.
“I would pull together and make sure that the countries of the world come up with $ 20 billion and say, ‘Here is $ 20 billion. Stop tearing down the forest. And if you don’t, then you’re going to have significant economic consequences.’ “
Bolsonaro, an admirer of the US president who has been dubbed a “tropical Trump”, countered that Brazil would not accept “cowardly threats to our territorial and economic integrity”.
“OUR SOVEREIGNTY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE,” he wrote.
“The greed of some countries towards the Amazon is a well-known fact. However, the explicit demonstration of this greed by someone running for president of his country is a clear sign of contempt for a cordial and fruitful coexistence. “
Bolsonaro, who took office in January 2019, presided over a wave of deforestation in the world‘s largest rainforest.
Last year, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon increased by 85.3%, reaching a record area almost the size of Lebanon.
The Brazilian leader, however, defended “the unprecedented action of his government to protect the Amazon and safeguard our environment”.
