Bolsonaro hits out at DiCaprio over Amazon fires

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claimed on Friday that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest.

The claim, made without presenting any evidence, is Bolsonaro's latest broadside in casting blame over forest fires that have generated international concern.

What did Bolsonaro say?

Bolsonaro appeared to be commenting on social media postings claiming that the environmental organization the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had paid for images taken by volunteer firefighters that it then used to solicit donations, including a 500,000 U.S. dollars contribution from DiCaprio.

The WWF has denied receiving a donation from DiCaprio or obtaining photos from the firefighters.

"This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon," Bolsonaro said in front of the presidential residence. A representative for DiCaprio did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2019. /Reuters Photo

What's the DiCaprio connection?

DiCaprio has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of combating climate change, posting frequently on Twitter about environmental issues, including the Amazon forest fires.

Bolsonaro had talked about DiCaprio on Thursday during a live webcast. The president said the WWF paid the firefighting NGO to take pictures of forest fires in the Amazon.

"So what did the NGO do? What is the easiest thing? Set fire to the forest. Take pictures, make a video," the president said. "(WWF) makes a campaign against Brazil, it contacts Leonardo DiCaprio, he donates 500,000 U.S. dollars."

"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," Bolsonaro said.

A tract of Amazon jungle burns as it is being cleared by loggers and farmers in Novo Airao, Amazonas state, Brazil, August 21, 2019. /Reuters Photo

What's the background?

Bolsonaro has repeatedly lashed out at various factions in casting blame for the fires in the Amazon rainforest, considered a bulwark against global climate change.

In a Facebook live post on August 21, he said, "Everything indicates" that NGOs were going to the Amazon to "set fire" to the forest. When asked then if he had evidence to back up his claims, Bolsonaro said he had "no written plan," adding "that's not how it's done."

One day later he admitted that farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze, but roughly a month later he attacked the "lying media" for saying that the rainforest was being devastated by the fires.

(With input from Reuters)