Amazonas governor criticises Elon Musk’s investments in Amazon as benefitting criminals

Lima highlighted that only three public schools in the state received free internet antennas from Musk’s companies, while criminals in the area had widespread access to them.

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During a meeting with other governors from the northern states of Brazil, Amazonas governor Wilson Lima criticised Elon Musk’s investments in the Legal Amazon region, claiming that they do not align with public policies and instead benefit local criminals. Lima stated that only three public schools in the state had received free internet antennas from Musk’s companies, while criminals in the region have wide access to them. 

The Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the Federal Highway Police have seized Starlink internet kits in illegal mining areas to disrupt criminal activities. Musk had previously promised to provide internet access to 19,000 disconnected schools in rural areas through his Starlink project, whose operation was approved by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) in 2022.