From False Accusation to Unlikely Partnership
What began as a damaging false accusation from Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has transformed into a fruitful five-year partnership between Amazon environmentalist Caetano Scannavino and Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The remarkable turnaround began in November 2019 when Bolsonaro publicly claimed that DiCaprio had funded nonprofit groups allegedly responsible for setting fires in the Amazon rainforest.
The Dangerous Fallout of False Claims
The baseless accusation created immediate danger for Scannavino and his organisation Saúde e Alegria (Health and Happiness), which promotes sustainable development and citizens' rights in the Tapajós River region. Four of Scannavino's volunteer forest firefighters were jailed for two days and faced prosecution as alleged fire perpetrators before eventually being cleared of all charges.
Police spent weeks scrutinising documents from Scannavino's nonprofit, while the environmentalist himself received anonymous threats and saw his car set on fire. "Those first few days after Bolsonaro's accusation were terrible," Scannavino recalled. "People insulted us and our families on the streets, the firefighters had to leave."
DiCaprio Takes Notice and Acts
Despite the initial turmoil, Bolsonaro's comments had an unexpected silver lining: they brought Scannavino's work to Leonardo DiCaprio's attention. The Oscar-winning actor quickly denied funding the groups Bolsonaro mentioned but added that Scannavino's organisation deserved his support after reviewing their work.
DiCaprio decided to sponsor Saúde e Alegria through Re:wild, a conservation nonprofit he helped establish. "I've never been with him or spoken to him," Scannavino admitted in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "But he gives us support, uses his social media to show what this partnership does."
Sustainable Development in the Heart of the Amazon
Scannavino, now 59, founded Saúde e Alegria in 1987 to promote integrated and sustainable community development in Pará state. The initiative began as a healthcare project but has since expanded to work with rural communities on improving quality of life and citizenship.
One significant project supported by DiCaprio's institute is the Forest Economy EcoCenter in Santarém, serving as a hub for processing, storage and commercialisation of local products. Organisers confirmed the facility enhances economic viability of sustainable practices in the region.
The hub, opened a year ago, also receives support from the governments of Brazil, Germany and Norway - all contributors to the Amazon Fund, which finances anti-deforestation and sustainable development efforts. The initiative cost approximately 5 million Brazilian reais (£760,000), mostly covered by the Amazon Fund.
From Persecution to Recognition
Scannavino attributes the sustained support from DiCaprio and other backers to his decision to demonstrate that his organisation worked with local police and armed forces rather than seeking political confrontation. "Our critics are specialists in hatred," Scannavino noted, "and since that incident we chose to be polite, provide evidence we worked with all stakeholders."
The former president Bolsonaro was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for a coup attempt in 2023 after losing his re-election bid.
Looking Forward to COP30 and Potential Meeting
As the United Nations' Conference of the Parties (COP30) prepares to convene in Belém, Pará's capital, Scannavino anticipates meeting with Re:wild officials and possibly DiCaprio himself. The environmentalist revealed he nearly met the actor about twenty years ago in New York during a photo exhibition setup, but DiCaprio departed after staff failed to recognise him and complained he was "getting in the way."
In an Instagram post this week, DiCaprio urged world leaders gathering in Brazil to ensure defenders of nature have necessary resources, announcing that Re:wild is pledging more money to protect forests. "I urge leaders to unite and meet the moment," he wrote. "Our future depends on it."
Scannavino remains hopeful for a proper meeting: "I hope that the next encounter is a very different one, so we can thank him duly."
