Colombia Faces a Climate Crossroads

Colombia is on the brink of a political shift that could undo recent environmental gains. The current environment chief, Irene Vélez Torres, warns that the new president might reverse protections for the Amazon and curb pollution, potentially stalling progress against climate threats like El Nino floods and heat waves.

The Political Debate

• New President: Abelardo de la Espriella won narrowly after four years of President Gustavo Petro’s eco‑friendly agenda.
• Campaign Promise: With backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump, de la Espriella pledged to boost Colombia’s oil industry and support fracking under tight regulation.
• Critics’ Concern: This focus on fossil fuels could damage sensitive areas such as the Amazon and high‑land wetlands known as paramos.

Irene Vélez’s Concerns

• Amazon Coverage: About 42 % of Colombia lies inside the Amazon. Petro’s team made protecting this forest a key goal.
• Indigenous Rights: She fears the new administration might weaken Indigenous groups’ power to manage their own lands, harming both communities and the environment.
• Coca Planting: She warns against the return of spraying chemicals on coca plants, noting that glyphosate can harm people and ecosystems.

The New Environment Minister’s Stance

Marine biologist Fabio Arjona has been appointed as the incoming environment minister. He argues that:

• Politics should not drive the climate debate.
• Fracking could be safe if conducted outside protected zones.
• “Less hysteria” is needed, and the two sides have not yet spoken publicly about the issue.

A Call for Continuity

Vélez stresses that past achievements—cutting deforestation, restoring ecosystems, and safeguarding wetlands—must not be erased simply because a new party is in power. She calls for social and environmental justice to remain central, arguing that abandoning the current agenda would be a serious mistake.