As Brazil approaches its presidential runoff election this Sunday, the future of the Amazon rainforest has emerged as a central point of contention. The outcome of the vote is expected to have profound consequences for both the environment and the diverse communities residing within the world’s largest tropical forest.
To examine the local impact of the national political divide, The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips, traveled to Roraima. Located in Brazil’s far north, the state serves as a critical lens through which to view the election, having shown strong support for Flávio Bolsonaro during the first round of voting.
In a new podcast episode, Phillips engages with a cross-section of the Roraima population—including local voters, religious leaders, and political figures—to understand the competing priorities driving the electorate. The reporting highlights how the rhetoric surrounding land use, economic development, and environmental protection has polarized the region, reflecting the broader national debate that will be decided at the ballot box this weekend.
The full report on the battle for the Amazon and the voices shaping the runoff can be found in the latest episode of The Guardian’s audio series.
