Oliver Griffin
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Government efforts to destroy illegal roads in and around Colombia’s Amazon rainforest have stalled, eight sources told Reuters, with one operation put on hold entirely over concerns it could hamper Peace talks between rebels and the government of President Gustavo Petro.
Environmental experts and scientists say the construction of roads through Colombia’s rainforest by rural communities, ranchers and illegal armed groups is a major cause of deforestation. This is particularly important for the Amazon, which sequesters huge amounts of carbon, contributing to climate change and already in the spotlight.
There are at least 12 illegal roads in and around Chiribiquete National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Colombian Amazon. But environmental prosecutor Gustavo Guerrero told Reuters that despite oil companies’ pledges to protect the environment, there were no known operations underway to destroy them.
Reuters spoke to unnamed sources who detailed how a government operation to demolish a road in Cheribikot was halted while several other planned operations did not begin. The stalled and suspended plans were not previously reported.
Petro has made the environment a focus of his speeches at home and abroad, with his government celebrating a 29% reduction in deforestation in 2022.
The prosecutor’s office, an independent public watchdog, said the delays could prompt officials to be disciplined for failing to protect the environment.
The office said in a statement that neither Petro, his office nor any state official prevented the damage to the Ariaguara highway, referring to one of the roads flagged by the source.
The Yari Yaguara road has not yet been discussed in peace talks with Estado Mayor Central (EMC (NYSE:)) rebels, the statement said, adding that the process of destroying the road was proceeding in compliance with legal requirements.
Environment Minister Suzanne Mohammed stressed in an interview with Reuters that the operation to destroy the roads was part of a comprehensive strategy that included peace efforts, human rights and the fight against deforestation.
“These operations and their plans will continue to combat deforestation and environmental crime,” Mohammed said in the text message.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement on Monday night that all its operational, intelligence and investigative capabilities could be used to destroy the Ariaguara Highway, but the operation must be carried out with inter-agency coordination.
The ministry said security forces would follow any agreement the government reaches with the EMC, adding that it could not provide a possible date for the destruction of the road.
Six people familiar with the matter said preparations were made in December to destroy the road that bisects Chiribiquet. Sources said the operation did not go ahead due to military concerns about potential clashes with locals and wider government concerns about hampering already contentious peace talks with EMC, which operates in the area.
EMC rebels have consolidated control over parts of the country, leading the Colombian government to form a pseudo-state with little influence. Ceasefire agreements have been canceled in some provinces.
Two sources said operations to destroy roads were also planned for January, while another said plans to deal with all illegal roads were already in place.
“It’s like a spreading disease,” one source said, referring to the lack of action on illegal roads and the environmental damage caused by increased access to once-inaccessible forests.
‘A clear failure’
The prosecutor’s office last year asked the environment ministry to destroy another illegal road near Chiribiquet, but to no avail.
“We are not aware of any actions to close or disable any illegal roads in the Amazon,” Guerrero said in an interview. “There is a clear failure to enforce the precautions on these roads.”
One source said police planned to destroy the road highlighted by the prosecutor’s office but had not yet taken action.
Guerrero said his office has begun a disciplinary investigation into the administration’s widespread lack of progress. The procuratorate has the power to punish and remove officials below the ministerial level.
The government expects deforestation to fall again in 2023, but Minister Mohammed warned in April that deforestation would increase further in 2024 due to a prolonged drought.
One source said that even if Petro’s government had good reasons to cancel the operation, the lack of action on illegal roads contradicts his pledge to tackle deforestation.
“Ultimately, they didn’t take action. Something had to be done.”
