MANAUS, Brazil — Brazil’s environmental goals suffered a major setback in May as deforestation in the Amazon surged 92% compared to the same month last year, according to official monitoring data released Friday.

Forest loss reached 371 square miles during the period, an area slightly larger than New York City. It was the second-highest total for May since the current monitoring system was implemented in 2016.

The increase risks reversing the year-over-year decline in forest clearance since 2023, when Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began his third term. During his campaign, the leftist leader had pledged to end deforestation by 2030.

Brazil’s monitoring system tracks deforestation from Aug. 1 to July 30. Over the past 10 months, deforestation has risen 9.7% compared to t

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