Brazil will reject aid announced in a $20 million package at the G7 summit for it and neighboring South American countries to fight fires in the Amazon rainforest, officials told Brazilian media Monday, Axios reports.
Onyx Lorenzoni, chief of staff to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, told the Globo news website told the G1 news website the government appreciated the offer "but maybe those resources are more relevant to reforest Europe." The BBC reports that French President Emmanuel Macron said the money would be released.
The reports come amid tensions between Macron and Bolsonaro over his handling of the Amazon fires and his pursuit of economic growth at the expense of the forest, AP notes.
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Macron said the Amazon, while mostly Brazilian, is a world issue because the rainforest represents "the lungs of the planet" and that his message to Brazil Bolsonaro is "we cannot allow you to destroy everything," per AP.
"We respect your sovereignty. It’s your country. The Amazon forest is a subject for the whole planet. We can help you reforest. We can find the means for your economic development that respects the natural balance. But we cannot allow you to destroy everything."
— French President Emmanuel Macron
Editor's note: This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
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