US President Donald Trump said in a post on his social network Truth Social this Sunday that part of the Amazon rainforest was destroyed to build a road to take environmentalists to Belem, where the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP30, is being held.
“They devastated the Brazilian Amazon rainforest to build a four-lane highway for environmentalists. This was a huge scandal!” Trump wrote.
Along with his comments, President Trump released a Fox News video criticizing the construction of the so-called Calle Liberdade.
The road connects Alsa Viaria, near the Federal University of Pará, with Calle Perimetral, making Belém easily accessible from Ananindeua and Marituba. It also has easy access to the southern part of the state and the ports of Vila do Conde and Baixo Tocantins.
Pará state governor Helder Barbalho (MDB) also responded to President Trump’s remarks on social media.
“Instead of talking about roads, the president of the United States should be pointing out ways to fight climate change,” the governor said. “We will be able to celebrate the historic reduction in deforestation in the Amazon, with a focus on the state of Pará, which achieved the best results.”
Barbalho suggested that President Trump follow the example of the Brazilian government and invest more than 1 billion reais to protect forests around the world.
He concluded by saying that the President of the United States is invited to attend the conference and sample Pará’s cuisine.
“There’s still time until COP30, President Trump. We’re waiting for you with hawks. It’s better to act than post.”