Brazil’s Environment Minister Ricardo Salles has resigned. the federal police investigating to what extent he is involved in large-scale illegal timber trade in the Amazon.
This month, a Supreme Court judge ordered an investigation into allowing illegal timber shipments. A week ago, the police searched the minister’s home for this purpose and his bank secrecy was lifted. Nine senior officials from his ministry were also suspended.
At the end of last year, the Brazilian police found 200,000 cubic meters of wood, intended for illegal transport to Europe and the United States. It was the biggest catch in history.
Amazon deforestation
In April, the minister also touched discredited when the Supreme Court released a recording of a meeting. In it, Salles says that the extensive media attention for the corona pandemic offers the opportunity to make changes and change environmental regulations. He wanted to do that outside of Congress.
Salles is one of the most controversial ministers in President Bolsonaro’s government, which slashed environmental protection. Salles and Bolsonaro are proponents of economic development in the largest rainforest on Earth. Under Salles’ responsibility, deforestation in the Amazon increased significantly.
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