Good morning! The Brazilian Army began operations to control Amazon fires. A change in paradigm for government-sponsored infrastructure projects. Jair Bolsonaro condones a sexist comment about Brigitte Macron on social media. (This newsletter is for platinum subscribers only. Become one now!)
Brazilian Army begins operations against Amazon fires
On Saturday, the Brazilian Air Force began an operation to fight Amazon fires with warplanes. For now, roughly 400 troops will carry out the first operations to put out blazes, assist local populations, and curb illegal deforestation and mining activities. On Friday, President Jair Bolsonaro promised a “zero-tolerance stance” on environmental crimes—a major U-turn from everything he has done previously as an elected official.
Why it matters. In recent weeks, international pressure began mounting against Brazil, with France and Ireland threatening to vote against the Mercosur-EU trade deal, and Finland calling for a boycott of Brazilian beef. That movement raised local pressure on the government, including from agricultural producers who fear restrictions on their products.
G7. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that the world’s wealthiest economies were close to a deal on how to provide financial aid to countries affected by Amazon fires. Mr. Macron was careful enough to say...