The fire goes uncontrollably in the Amazon

An image of NASA shows the different fires in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, Uruguay and northern Argentina / AFP

Porto Velho

Joedson Alves and Nayara Batschke

EFE

Last night, tens of thousands of Brazilian armies strengthened the firefighting system in the Amazon, where the number of states seeking federal badistance increased from six to seven. Some of the approximately 44,000 soldiers in Brazil's vast Amazonian territory have begun to deploy on the ground to fight against environmental damage and to combat the environmental damage that has occurred. In the region.

Similarly, the federal government has allocated $ 38.5 million (approximately $ 9.6 million) to the Department of Defense to carry out these operations.

In the state of Rondonia, the 17th Jungle Infantry Brigade has set up a support base, which also includes a medical post and a dining room, in the regional capital of Porto Velho.

From there, the army coordinates the operation Jequitibá, composed of 70 people, including 18 firefighters, 19 inspectors and 33 soldiers.

32 vehicles, including ambulances, trucks and motorcycles, are also involved in firefighting.

The armed forces conducted various flights throughout the day in the area to detect areas most affected by the fire. They also used model C-130 Hercules aircraft – with a storage capacity of 12,000 liters of water each – to fight the fires detected.

About 150 kilometers from Porto Velho, in the heart of the Amazon, a group of about 40 military firefighters, six cars and a truck also worked tirelessly to stop the powerful flames that were moving fast.

As some firefighters have explained, the biggest difficulty at work is that many of the fire sources are concentrated in closed and difficult areas of access. The teams must walk 15 or 20 kilometers in the forest.

While some agents focus exclusively on the fight against llamas, others act to control and detain people involved in crimes against the environment.

Environmental police have stepped up vehicle and cargo inspections to prevent the transport of illegal timber.

In Pará, the state most affected by the fire and where more than 6,500 fires were recorded during the first three weeks of August, some 9,000 soldiers will concentrate their efforts in six cities, which have the largest number of of fires.

The first work of the armed forces was described after Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Friday authorized the use of military personnel to fight the flames that destroyed the Amazon rainforest for weeks, the largest rainforest in the world and that 'he cherishes 20% of the fresh water of the planet.

The extensive fires and the late reaction of Bolsonaro triggered a growing international tension that has left his government behind and even threatened the conclusion of the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.

After participating in a dialectical attack in which he refuted the harsh criticism received by several countries, Bolsonaro moderated his speech in recent days and defended an "open" dialogue with other governments.

The president even hinted yesterday that the international tension would be resolved and thanked the "dozens of state leaders who listened to me and helped us to overcome a crisis that only interested those who want to weaken Brazil! "

The president's comments on the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, and the attacks on world leaders who criticized their environmental policies have exacerbated tensions, leaving even the ratification of the trade pact between the world's leaders. European Union (EU) in the air. and Mercosur, consisting of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Faced with international pressure, Bolsonaro, who had come to say that the "real interest" behind the environmental concerns of several countries was to threaten the sovereignty of Brazil, has moderated his speech in recent days and has shown himself willing to interact with other governments.

– We are the main democracies of the world, committed to the protection of the environment and respecting the sovereignty of each country. We are ready to meet the heads of state who will open us and help us to overcome a crisis that is only interesting years to burn or Brazil!

– Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) August 25, 2019

Thus, the President reaffirmed that he was looking "from the beginning" to engage in dialogue with the two leaders of the G7, meeting these days at its annual summit in France, as well as with the G7. Spain and Chile. "Brazil is a country that regains its credibility and trades with virtually everyone," said the Brazilian president.

However, Brazil's Minister of Education, Abraham Weintraub, has revived the controversy after describing French President Emmanuel Macron as an "opportunistic toad" seeking "support from the French agricultural lobby".

The minister's statements follow the criticism of Bolsonaro's environmental policy by the French leader, who also threatened not to sign the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur if Brazil did not respect its environmental commitments.