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Brazilian leader hits back at Leonardo DiCaprio over election — Analysis

This Twitter spat was prompted by the call to young Brazilians to vote and save the Amazon rainforest.

Brazilian President Jairbolsonaro responded sarcastically to Leonardo DiCaprio (film star, eco-activist) who asked for the vote in October’s election. He implied that they might help to remove the unpopular head of state.

DiCaprio, a long-standing critic of Bolsonaro’s environmental record, took to Twitter on Thursday to point out that “Brazil is home to the Amazon and other ecosystems critical to climate change.”

“What happens there matters to us all and youth voting is key in driving change for a healthy planet,”He enclosed a link that took him to a webpage with information on how to vote.

Bolsonaro responded to him on Friday by sending an ironic message implying that Hollywood’s star was in fact supporting him.

“Thanks for your support, Leo! The next elections will be held in Brazil and it is crucial that every Brazilian vote. Our people will decide if they want to keep our sovereignty on the Amazon or to be ruled by crooks who serve foreign special interests,”He wrote.

After publishing another screenshot from DiCaprio’s Instagram post, the right-leaning president claimed that DiCaprio had posted it as an Instagram photo and that DiCaprio used an older 2003 photo to show the Amazon wildfires of 2019.

“There are people who want to arrest Brazilian citizens who make this kind of mistake here in our country. This tyrannical notion is against my will. Therefore, I am sorry. Hugs from Brazil!”The 67-year old wrote.

Official data shows that the Brazilian Amazon’s deforestation rate has increased more than 75% since Bolsonaro assumed office in 2019.

Leonardo DiCaprio is now a tree

DiCaprio previously supported environmental groups calling for Brazil to be subject to a government commitment that the Amazon rainforest is protected. “the lungs of the planet.”

Bolsonaro, however, rejected these attempts as infringing upon Brazilian sovereignty.

After the Covid-19 pandemic hit, President Trump’s approval ratings plummeted. Brazil became one of most-hit nations in the world.

While he may have won back some of his supporters in the recent months, polls indicate that he is still behind LuizInacio Lula da Silva, a left-wing rival.

According to a poll by FSB Pesquisa, Lula is expected to beat Bolsonaro in the first round. He was Brazil’s President during a time of high economic growth from 2003 to 2010.

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