Brasilia, August 13 (RHC)-- Germany has made the decision to suspend $39 million in funds sent to Brazil to finance projects aimed at preserving the Amazon, according to reports published by Brazilian newspapers.

Germany's decision to suspend these funds apparently came in response to the increased deforestation of the Amazon, which has been repeatedly promoted by Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

The move reflects “great concerns with an increasing deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon,” the German embassy in Brazil told Folha de S.Paulo newspaper, adding that the cut does not affect the Amazon Fund, to which Germany is a key donor.

According to O Globo newspaper, the decision concerns only funds destined to new projects financed by the Ministry of Environment.  Deforestation in Brazil’s rainforest surged 67% in the first seven months of the year, according to Brazil’s space research agency, though the government has claimed the data is unreliable and misleading.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, a former army captain elected last year, has long been skeptical of environmental issues, and has repeatedly said the Amazon is a resource that belongs to Brazil, which Brazilians should choose how to administer.

Asked about Germany’s decision, Bolsonaro replied to journalists on Sunday: “Brazil does not need that.”