President Joe Biden made history on Sunday as the first sitting US president to visit the Amazon rainforest. The trip to the vast tropical rainforest holds special significance, as it was in the Amazon that a predecessor, Teddy Roosevelt, had a near-death experience after leaving office.
Biden, at 81 years old, arrived in Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon, as part of his final tour of South America before handing over the reins of the White House to Donald Trump. His visit to the region was a nod to the adventurous spirit of Roosevelt, the 26th US president, who embarked on a treacherous expedition in the Amazon in 1914.
Roosevelt, known for his daring nature, joined forces with Brazilian explorer Candido Rondon to chart the Rio da Duvida, a challenging tributary in the heart of the Amazon. The expedition was plagued with difficulties, resulting in the death of several members and Roosevelt falling ill with malaria and a leg infection.
Despite the perilous conditions, Roosevelt’s determination and resilience saw him through the ordeal. With the help of Brazilian rubber-tappers, the expedition was able to navigate their way out of the jungle and back to safety. Although Roosevelt never fully recovered his health after the expedition, he and Rondon were lauded for their efforts in mapping the River of Doubt.
The legacy of Roosevelt’s Amazon adventure lives on, with the river he traversed renamed the Roosevelt River in his honor. The harrowing experience in the Amazon served as a testament to Roosevelt’s indomitable spirit and willingness to embrace risk in pursuit of exploration.
As Biden continues his journey through South America, his visit to the Amazon pays homage to the legacy of past leaders who dared to venture into the unknown. The rich history of the region and its significance in shaping the course of exploration and discovery serve as a poignant backdrop to his visit to the iconic rainforest.
