On Sunday, US President Joe Biden will make history as the first sitting American president to visit the Amazon, the immense and treacherous tropical rainforest. This visit is part of Biden’s final tour of South America before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Biden, 81, will stop in Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon, before continuing to Rio de Janeiro for the upcoming two-day G20 summit.
The Amazon holds historical significance for the United States, notably for former President Theodore Roosevelt, who nearly lost his life there. In 1914, four years after leaving office, Roosevelt embarked on a daring expedition through the jungle’s Rio da Duvida (River of Doubt), a perilous 760-kilometer waterway. Accompanied by Brazilian explorer Candido Rondon, Roosevelt’s journey became a struggle for survival. Several members of his team died, and Roosevelt himself contracted malaria and suffered a leg infection, which left him incapacitated.
Despite the hardships, Roosevelt remained determined, telling friends that he was prepared to risk his life for the adventure. In the end, the expedition was saved when they encountered Brazilian rubber tappers who assisted them, allowing the survivors to reach safety.
Though Roosevelt did not fully recover from the physical toll of the expedition, his and Rondon’s efforts in mapping the River of Doubt earned them acclaim. The river was later renamed the Roosevelt River in his honor. Roosevelt passed away in 1919 at the age of 60, his health never fully restored.
Biden’s upcoming visit to the Amazon reflects his commitment to deepening US-Brazil relations, as well as his ongoing efforts to highlight climate and environmental concerns during his time in office.
