The US is initiating a new program to support South American nations in combatting illegal activities that negatively impact the Amazon rainforest, as announced by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during her visit to Brazil on Saturday.
Yellen stated in Belem, a city surrounded by dense jungle in northern Brazil, that criminal organizations and individuals in the Amazon engage in illegal harvesting of plants, minerals, and wildlife for financial gain. These illicit “nature crimes” result in significant profits each year and often involve exploitation of the US financial system.
As part of the initiative, the US Treasury will enhance coordination efforts by providing training on tracking financial flows, facilitating information sharing, and assisting in joint investigations with partner nations.
The collaborative project will involve the US, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname.
Yellen also mentioned the possibility of imposing sanctions and other enforcement actions to hold illegal actors accountable and disrupt their operations.
Belem, the capital of Para state, is scheduled to host the COP30 climate conference in 2025.
The Amazon rainforest, covering almost 40% of South America, has experienced significant deforestation in the past century due to factors such as agriculture, logging, mining, and urban expansion.
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