BELEM, Brazil — The fallout from a false accusation involving the Amazon rainforest has unexpectedly transformed into an opportunity for Caetano Scannavino, the coordinator of a nonprofit organization committed to sustainable development in Brazil’s heartland. In November 2019, former President Jair Bolsonaro claimed that American actor Leonardo DiCaprio had financed nonprofit groups contributing to Amazon fires. This assertion, which turned out to be baseless, posed significant risks for Scannavino and his organization, Saúde e Alegria, which focuses on citizens’ rights and sustainable practices along the Tapajos River.
The accusations sparked a wave of hostility that endangered Scannavino’s work. Four of his friends, who volunteered as forest firefighters, were imprisoned for two days and faced prosecution before ultimately being cleared of any wrongdoing. Authorities scrutinized Scannavino’s organization for weeks, leading to anonymous threats against him and even an incident where his car was set ablaze.
However, the scandal attracted DiCaprio’s attention, and he chose to support Scannavino’s initiatives through Re:wild, a conservation nonprofit co-founded by the actor. Their collaboration has flourished over five years. Scannavino highlighted DiCaprio’s prompt response to Bolsonaro’s remarks, noting that the actor assured the public he was not funding the group but recognized the need to support their vital work. “I’ve never been with him or spoken to him. But he gives us support, uses his social media to show what this partnership does,” he remarked in a recent interview.
Scannavino has been with Saúde e Alegria since 1988, aiming to foster integrated community development in Para state, where Belem is located, the site of the upcoming UN Conference of the Parties (COP30). He recently traveled from Santarem, the base of his organization, to Belem, navigating the river for two days while sharing his journey with journalists and climate specialists.
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Initially established as a healthcare initiative, Saúde e Alegria has expanded its mission to uplift rural communities, improve quality of life, and encourage civic engagement. One of the key projects supported by DiCaprio’s Re:wild is the Forest Economy EcoCenter in Santarem, designed to process, store, and market local goods. This facility, which opened last year, is also backed by the governments of Brazil, Germany, and Norway through the Amazon Fund—an initiative financing anti-deforestation efforts.
The initiative carries a budget of about 5 million Brazilian reais (approximately $938,000), largely funded by the Amazon Fund. Reflecting on the turmoil following Bolsonaro’s accusations, Scannavino admitted the initial days were fraught with anxiety, hostility, and public scrutiny. Yet, he noted a surprising shift: “People were curious about us — including DiCaprio,” he said, underscoring the unexpected positive attention that emerged from the turmoil.
In an Instagram post prior to the COP30 event, DiCaprio expressed his demand for world leaders to unite and provide necessary resources to those safeguarding the environment, underlining Re:wild’s commitment to forest protection. Scannavino, who has spent over three decades in the Amazon, attributes his nonprofit’s backing to the decision not to politicize the situation but rather to transparently engage with local stakeholders, including authorities.
The former president is now facing a 27-year prison sentence for his role in a coup attempt after his recent electoral defeat. Scannavino reflected on the importance of navigating the landscape of criticism with civility, insisting that their mission to provide healthcare and community support would not waver despite Bolsonaro’s unfounded claims.
Having garnered numerous accolades and recognition, Scannavino anticipates an opportunity to meet with DiCaprio and Re:wild representatives during COP30. He reminisced about a near-encounter with the actor two decades ago in New York, expressing hope that their next meeting will be made more meaningful. “I hope that the next encounter is a very different one, so we can thank him duly,” he concluded.
