Brazil deforestation monitor out after Bolsonaro blasts

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The president of the Brazilian agency that monitors deforestation in the Amazon is leaving his position following criticism by President Jair Bolsonaro of the agency’s reports on deforestation.

The ministry of science and technology on Friday confirmed the departure of Ricardo Galvao, who has repeatedly defended his agency’s satellite data, which has been criticized by Bolsonaro.

The agency says 920 square kilometers (370 square miles) of Amazon forest were lost in June — an 88 percent increase from the same month last year.

Bolsonaro said Thursday he suspected members of the institute had manipulated deforestation figures to make his administration look bad.

Galvao’s post was supposed to run until 2020. It’s not clear if he resigned or was fired.