In Musk’s recent visit to Brazil, he discussed the protection of the Amazon forest and internet connectivity in rural areas with Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro.
On Friday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a trip to Brazil to discuss internet connectivity in rural areas in Brazil and projects to protect the Amazon forest.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said Musk’s Twitter acquisition is a ‘breath of hope,’ as Musk wanted Twitter to be a’ free speech’ platform.
He hoped that Musk would help end the lies thrown at him as he currently faces criticism regarding the deforestation of the Amazon forest.
The meeting was held at an upscale hotel in the countryside near the city of Sorocaba in São Paulo. It was attended by several business executives, including Telecom Italia Chief Executive Pietro Labriola and the chairman of Brazilian lender Banco BTG Pactual, Andre Esteves.
TALKS ON AMAZON FOREST AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
Last November 2021, the Brazilian government already talked with Musk about securing satellite internet in the Amazon with SpaceX. The government said that SpaceX’s Starlink connection could provide internet connection in indigenous communities.
Musk tweeted on Friday morning: “Super excited to be in Brazil for launch of Starlink for 19,000 unconnected schools in rural areas & environmental monitoring of Amazon!”
The recent discussions confirmed that Starlink would bring internet connection to 19,000 schools in rural and isolated areas. The two also discussed projects to protect and monitor the Amazon forest and attract investments for the economic and sustainable growth of the country.
Pres. Bolsonaro said in a separate tweet: “We also discussed ways to expand the protection and monitoring of the Amazon through new technologies,”
“In addition to intensifying support for the 35 million Brazilians living in the region, attracting investments aimed at its economic and sustainable development.”
During the event, Bolsonaro stated that: “We count on Elon Musk so that the Amazon is known by everyone in Brazil and the world, to show the exuberance of this region, how we are preserving it, and how much harm those who spread lies about this region are doing to us.”