Transcript
Brazil’s president is blaming Leonardo DiCaprio for the Amazon forest fires.
President Jair Bolsonaro made the claim Thursday on a webcast, arguing that non-governmental agencies (NGO) are behind the fires.
Without any evidence, he said the NGOs set fire to the Amazon in a bid to raise money and challenge the Brazilian government.
He actually said actor Leonardo DiCaprio is “donating money to set the Amazon on fire.”
DiCaprio responded to the claims on Saturday, refuting the president’s accusations.
DiCaprio maintained his support for the Brazilian people working to save the rain forest.
Two of the largest environmental groups working in the Amazon released statements condemning the accusations as well.
This isn’t the first time Bolsonaro has blamed NGOs for the fires.
In August, when international criticism of the fires was at its peak, he blamed environmental groups for setting the fires.
DiCaprio says the future of this irreplaceable ecosystem is at stake and he is proud to stand with the groups protecting it.
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