The Articulation often criticizes Bolsonaro, whose administration recorded the highest level of deforestation in 12 years. | Photo: Departmental Board of Tacuarembó.

Brasilia, April 13 (RHC)-- The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) expressed their concern about a possible agreement between presidents Jair Bolsonaro and Joe Biden for the reforestation of the Amazon, due to an erratic management of the Brazilian president on this issue and others such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a tweet from the organization, which brings together indigenous civil societies, it calls on Joe Biden  to "not let this man (Bolsonaro) negotiate the future of the Amazon," but to "trust" those who live in the jungle."

At the same time, its president, Marcio Astrini also expressed from his individual account: "Brazil is a divided country.  On one side, there are indigenous people, quilombolas, scientists, environmentalists and people who work against deforestation and for life.  On the other side, there is Bolsonaro.  Biden must choose which side he will take."

Indigenous misgivings about a possible signing of an environmental climate agreement by both dignitaries date back to the attempts, since last year, of the U.S. ruler to reach understandings on climate and reforestation, for which he went so far as to offer up to $20,000,000 to his Brazilian counterpart and has reiterated his intention to reach concrete results.

At the time, Bolsonaro referred to the proposal as a "bribe" and rejected it, but it is believed that there may be a change of position today, with the proximity of the summit of world leaders convened by Biden for April 22 to discuss environmental issues.

The fears of Brazilian civil actors are based on the dismal performance of Biden on environmental health, and in particular the Amazon, which together with the economic crisis caused by the pandemic in the country, could generate an interest of the presidency to accept dividends from some agreement without a real intention to generate positive changes in environmental matters.

It further asserted that Bolsonaro should first fulfill his current obligations to stop deforestation before being trusted to enter into any new agreement.

In December, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, which is very often the result of illegal actions poorly monitored by the government, reached the highest levels in 12 years.