Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has told Leonardo DiCaprio to ‘keep his mouth shut’.
DiCaprio, a prominent environmental activist, alluded on Twitter that he wanted the younger generation to vote out the Brazilian leader for contributing to the deterioration of the Amazon rainforest since being in power.
The Hollywood actor wrote: “Brazil is home to the Amazon and other ecosystems critical to climate change.
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“What happens there matters to us all and youth voting is key in driving change for a healthy planet.
"For more on voter registration in Brazil before May 4, visit.”
However, CNN reports his remarks have been slammed by the Brazilian leader, claiming the actor was 'talking nonsense’.
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While speaking at Brazil’s Alvorada Palace, Bolsonaro said: “Now, DiCaprio has to know that it was the very president of the World Trade Organisation who said that without Brazilian agribusiness, the world would be hungry.
"So, DiCaprio better keep his mouth shut instead of talking nonsense.”
Bolsonaro also replied to the actor's comments via Twitter: “Thanks for your support, Leo! It’s really important to have every Brazilian voting in the coming elections.
"Our people will decide if they want to keep our sovereignty on the Amazon or be ruled by crooks who serve special foreign interests. Good job in The Revenant."
The President also criticised DiCaprio for incorrectly posting a photo from 2003 when speaking about the wildfires that broke out in the Amazon in 2019.
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Since Bolsonaro was elected in 2019, deforestation and fires in the rainforest have increased to their highest levels in more than 10 years, according to the Guardian.
Last year, a study published in Nature revealed that the Amazon was emitting more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, significantly accelerating the climate crisis.
According to Greenpeace, Brazil’s deforestation has increased by 52.9 per cent in the past three years as Bolsonaro continues to weaken environmental policies and bodies that help monitor rainforest protection.
Executive secretary of the Brazilian Climate Observatory Marcio Astrini told The Guardian that the only hope for keeping the Amazon safe is voting Bolsonaro out.
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He said: “It is now clear that a solution for the Amazon can only be possible if we change government. There is no hope if Bolsonaro is re-elected president. It is either the Amazon or Bolsonaro. There is no space for both.”
Featured Image Credit: Jair Bolsonaro/Instagram. Netflix.Topics: News, Celebrity, Leonardo DiCaprio, Environment, Politics
