Colombia’s outgoing environment minister warns climate gains may be reversed
9 reported1 conflicting
Colombia’s outgoing environment minister, Irene Vélez Torres, warned Friday that the incoming government could reverse recent climate and conservation gains, citing its support for fracking and fossil fuel development and what she described as climate skepticism among some officials. In an interview with The Associated Press, Vélez said she fears Colombia could lose ground on climate action as the country faces severe environmental challenges including El Nino. Her comments come weeks before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella takes office on Aug. 7, following a narrow election victory that marked a sharp political shift after four years under President Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella, endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump, pledged to revive Colombia’s oil sector and argued for greater use of natural resources to spur economic growth. Vélez expressed concern about the future of Indigenous environmental governance in the Amazon, the possible return of aerial glyphosate spraying of coca, and expanded fossil fuel development in Colombia’s paramos. The incoming administration has rejected some of those characterizations, with incoming environment minister Fabio Arjona defending the possibility of fracking under strict controls.
What’s reported
Outgoing Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres warned that the incoming government could reverse climate and conservation gains.
Vélez cited the incoming government’s support for fracking and fossil fuel development, and climate skepticism among some officials.
President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella takes office on Aug. 7 after a narrow election victory.
De la Espriella was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump and pledged to revive Colombia’s oil sector.
About 42% of Colombia’s territory is covered by Amazon rainforest.
Vélez expressed concern about the future of Indigenous environmental governance in the Amazon.
She also worried about the possible return of aerial glyphosate spraying of coca, calling the herbicide “potentially carcinogenic to humans.”
Vélez warned about expanded fossil fuel development and mining in Colombia’s paramos.
Incoming environment minister Fabio Arjona defended the possibility of fracking under strict controls, but said it should not occur in protected areas.
Conflicting accounts
The incoming administration has rejected some of Vélez’s characterizations. Incoming environment minister Fabio Arjona has said environmental debates should be less ideological, criticized what he called “environmental hysteria,” and defended fracking under strict controls while saying it should not occur in protected areas.
Key figures
Irene Vélez Torres – outgoing environment minister of Colombia
Abelardo de la Espriella – president-elect of Colombia
Gustavo Petro – outgoing president of Colombia
Donald Trump – U.S. president who endorsed de la Espriella
Fabio Arjona – marine biologist chosen as incoming environment minister
Sources: abcnews.com
