Mongabay · Climate & nature

Bolsonaro's Son Leads in Brazil's Deforestation Hotspots

In Brazil's election runoff, far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro won more votes than incumbent Lula da Silva in key Amazon deforestation areas. The two face a second round.

Flávio Bolsonaro led in 8 of the 10 Amazon municipalities with the most deforestation over the last decade, according to an analysis.

Jair Bolsonaro's term saw a deforestation spike; Lula's began in 2023 with deforestation falling to a decade low.

In Novo Progresso, site of the 2019 "Day of Fire," Flávio Bolsonaro won 84% of votes. He also won 63% in Altamira, where over 500 farms were blacklisted for illegal deforestation.

Lula won in two deforested municipalities. Both candidates propose paving a highway through the Amazon, raising deforestation concerns.

Many deforested areas house Indigenous territories facing invasions. The number of eligible Indigenous voters increased 84% since 2024.

In Colniza, where Bolsonaro won 77%, Indigenous territories await demarcation or have had boundaries marked. In Itaituba, Bolsonaro received over 69% of votes amid efforts to remove illegal miners.

Experts warn a Bolsonaro win could place 95% of the Amazon under right-wing governments by 2027.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.