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Oil contaminating Brazil’s beaches very likely from

Venezuela

Anna Jean Kaiser

    Thick crude oil that has stained hundreds of miles of pristine Brazilian beach in recent weeks probably originated in Venezuela, the Brazilian government has said, in an accusation likely to further strain relations between the two countries.

    Brazilians authorities have been investigating the growing disaster for more than a month, as the oil has spread to more than 130 beaches across nine states.

    Ricardo Salles, the country’s environment minister, told that a study by Petrobrás had concluded that the oil “is very likely from Venezuela. He said that a foreign ship near Brazil’s coastline appeared to have caused the spill.

    There was no immediate response from Venezuela.

    Social media users have shared shocking images of the spill, showing kilometers of white sand stained with oil blotches and dead, oil-covered turtles and dolphins. One shows thick black oil lapping up against a rocky jetty.

Adapted from The Guardian.