Leonardo DiCaprio has played a lot of characters—from teen heartthrob to leading man. But rarely has he played the victim.
Until now.
The actor and environmentalist on Saturday responded to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s false accusations that DiCaprio funded fires recently set in the Amazon rainforest.
In a statement released over the weekend, the Hollywood star said he “supports” the people of Brazil “working to save their natural and cultural heritage.”
Amazonian fires have become a global issue, escalating tensions between Brazil’s right-wing populist president Jair Bolsonaro and other countries, which believe the South American leader has neglected commitments to protect the environment.
As reported by The New York Times, Bolsonaro on Friday appeared to comment on social media postings claiming the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) paid for images taken by volunteer firefighters that it used to solicit donations—including $500,000 from DiCaprio.
“This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon,” Bolsonaro said, according to the Times.
The unsubstantiated remarks came after four members of Alter do Chão Fire Brigade were arrested on Tuesday and accused by police of setting fires in order to drum up financial aid.
WWF has denied the allegations.
And, now, so has Leo.
“While worthy of support, we did not fund the organizations targeted,” DiCaprio wrote in a message posted to Instagram.
“At this time of crisis for the Amazon, I support the people of Brazil working to save their natural and cultural heritage,” he continued. “They are an amazing, moving, and humbling example of the commitment and passion needed to save the environment.”
The iconic Amazon forest, known as “the lungs of the planet,” has seen an 84 percent increase in the number of fires this year, the National Institute for Space Research revealed in August.
“The future of these irreplaceable ecosystems is at stake,” DiCaprio said, “and I am proud to stand with the groups protecting them.”
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