Bolsonaro to send army to fight huge fires in the Amazon

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Bolsonaro to send army to fight huge fires in the Amazon

By VICTOR CAIVANO
August 23, 2019

PORT VELHO, Brazil (AP) — Under international pressure to contain fires sweeping parts of Brazil’s Amazon, President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday authorized use of the military to battle the huge blazes while thousands took to the streets to protest his environmental policies.

Brazilian forces will deploy starting Saturday to border areas, indigenous territories and other affected regions in the Amazon to assist in putting out fires for a month, according to a presidential decree authorizing use of the army.

The military will “act strongly” to control the wildfires, Bolsonaro promised as he signed the decree.

The armed forces will collaborate with public security and environmental protection agencies, the decree says.

“The protection of the forest is our duty,” the president said. “We are aware of that and will act to combat deforestation and criminal activities that put people at risk in the Amazon. We are a government of zero tolerance for crime, and in the environmental field it will not be different.”

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/ba707b31df4a4fa28edfbfc9d60329d4

[True Dough]

1. Took him too long

Other priorities.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Someone lit a fire under his ass, apparently

Curious about what it takes to cause such an abrupt about-face.

[Eugene]

3. No trade deal with the EU.

France and Ireland say the EU-Mercosur deal is off unless Brazil stops the destruction. EU countries are also cutting off Amazon conservation money now that Bolsonaro disbanded the oversight board. Bolsonaro has also made several bellicose comments in reaction to additional sanctions.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. Thanks

Glad it's happening.

[sandensea]

5. This is good news at first blush - but, as with most things Bolso does, the intent may be sinister

There are reports from Brazil that the real orders he gave these troops, is to evict environmental and indigenous land rights NGOs, and to in effect occupy the area for further exploitation.

We'll see if that in fact bears out - but remember: this is Bolsonazi we're talking about here.

The chances of his acting in good faith - even under international pressure - are slim to none.

Thank you for keeping up with this, Eugene - and so much else besides.