Bolsonaro Says Hollywood Star Leonardo DiCaprio Better "Keep His Mouth Shut" on the Amazon

DiCaprio: brave environmentalist who is accused of promoting jungle burning 1:09

(CNN)

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has said Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio had better "keep his mouth shut" in reaction to the actor's views on the Amazon.

Bolsonaro made these statements on Tuesday before a group of supporters who gathered in front of the Alvorada Palace, the official presidential residence.

"Now, DiCaprio has to know that it was the president of the World Trade Organization himself who said that without Brazilian agribusiness, the world would be hungry," Bolsonaro said.

"So DiCaprio better keep his mouth shut than talk nonsense."

Bolsonaro also accused the American actor of publishing images of fires in the Amazon "from 20 years ago".

While there is talk of climate crisis, deforestation in the Amazon grows 0:49

Bolsonaro's response came after a series of tweets by DiCaprio in recent days urging young Brazilians to register to vote in the October election.

In one of the tweets, he wrote: "Brazil is home to the Amazon and other crucial ecosystems for climate change. What happens there matters to all of us, and the vote of young people is key to promoting change for a planet healthy".

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He then encouraged young people to find more information about registering to vote on the Olha o Barulhinho website, which offers step-by-step instructions on how to register.

The next day, President Jair Bolsonaro quoted DiCaprio's tweet as saying: "Thank you for your support, Leo! It is very important that all Brazilians vote in the upcoming elections. Our people will decide if they want to keep our sovereignty over the Amazon or be ruled by crooks serving foreign special interests. Good job on The Revenant."

In Brazil, voting is not compulsory for people between 16 and 18 years old.

Many local artists and celebrities have asked people to register and vote in the October presidential election.

From Camilo Rocha in São Paulo and Karol Suarez in Atlanta

Amazon Jair Bolsonaro Leonardo DiCaprio