The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, raised the tone this Thursday (20) against Ibama president Rodrigo Agostinho, suggesting that he lacks the courage to express his response regarding the equatorial margin discussion.
Ibama is under pressure from the Ministry of Mines and Energy to authorize Petrobras to drill a well in the Foz do Amazonas basin. The state-owned company aims to assess the area's exploration potential, which could be significant and help reverse the expected decline in Brazilian oil production in the coming years.
BRASILIA,DF,20-03-2025: The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira (FOTO: Gabriela Biló/Folhapress, POLITICA) - Gabriela Biló/Folhapress
However, Ibama’s technical staff has already recommended denying the license, arguing that the activities in the region—considered environmentally sensitive—are not safe. Silveira says he has requested two meetings with Agostinho on the matter but has been ignored so far. This Thursday, he suggested that the Ibama president’s behavior would be reprimanded if such an attitude came from an agency under his ministry.
Agostinho was contacted for comment but had not made any statements by the time this text was published.
Silveira suggested that Agostinho is hesitant and argued that the head of the environmental agency should publicly address the issue. "I think he is afraid to have the courage to tell the Brazilian people what his answer is," he said.
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