The Army commander, General Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, defended the military intervention operations in the Amazon, which cost BRL 550 million to public coffers, and associated them with a reduction in deforestation in the biome that, in fact, did not occur.
In a year-end message to his commanders, Oliveira took stock of the Force's actions and mentioned the military intervention operations in the Amazon.
"With regard to the environment, I would like to highlight Operations Verde Brasil and Samaúma, carried out in support of environmental inspection bodies, which showed an efficient reduction in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon," stated the commander.
Verde Brasil had two phases: the first, between August and October 2019, and the second, between May 2020 and April 2021. Samaúma followed, between June and August 2021. Deforestation between August 2020 and July 2021–the period comprising Verde Brasil 2 and Samaúma– was 13,235 km², the highest rate since 2006. The number represents an increase of 22% compared to the previous period.
The Bolsonaro government decided to end military interventions in the Amazon, which overlapped the actions of federal agencies with expertise in the repression of environmental crime.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon