Colombia’s outgoing environment minister, Irene Vélez Torres, has warned that recent climate and conservation achievements in the country could be jeopardized by the incoming administration. She cited the president-elect’s support for fracking and fossil fuel development, as well as what she described as climate skepticism among some future officials, as reasons for her concern.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Vélez Torres stated her fear that Colombia might lose progress on climate action during a period when the nation is already contending with severe environmental challenges. These include El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon known to disrupt rainfall patterns and lead to droughts, floods, and extreme heat.
“Arriving with an attitude of climate denialism is absolutely dangerous,” Vélez said. Her comments come weeks before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is set to take office on August 7. De la Espriella’s narrow election victory signaled a significant political shift in Colombia following four years under President Gustavo Petro, whose administration aimed to position the country as a global leader in climate diplomacy, Amazon protection, and a transition away from fossil fuels.
During his campaign, de la Espriella, who received endorsement from former U.S. President Donald Trump, pledged to revitalize Colombia’s oil sector. He also voiced support for fracking and argued that the country should leverage its natural resources more extensively to foster economic growth. Environmental advocates and some Indigenous leaders have cautioned that an increased focus on extractive industries could intensify pressure on ecologically sensitive regions, including parts of the Amazon rainforest.
Approximately 42% of Colombia's territory is covered by the Amazon rainforest. The Petro administration had made the protection of this rainforest and a shift away from fossil fuels key components of its environmental policy.
Vélez Torres expressed particular concern about the future of Indigenous environmental governance within the Amazon. She voiced worries that the incoming administration might weaken recent initiatives designed to recognize Indigenous authorities as primary environmental decision-makers and reduce support for Indigenous territorial governance projects.
Furthermore, she raised concerns about the potential reinstatement of aerial spraying with glyphosate, a herbicide used to eradicate coca plants, the source of cocaine. Vélez described glyphosate as “potentially carcinogenic to humans” and noted its past use had resulted in lasting environmental and health consequences in Colombia.
Vélez also cautioned against expanded fossil fuel development and mining in Colombia’s páramos, unique high-altitude wetlands crucial for supplying water to millions of people.
However, the incoming administration has pushed back against some of these characterizations. Fabio Arjona, a marine biologist selected by de la Espriella to serve as the next environment minister, has indicated that environmental discussions should be less ideological. He has criticized what he termed “environmental hysteria” and defended the prospect of fracking under stringent regulations, stipulating that it should not occur in protected zones like national parks and páramos.
Vélez stressed that the change in government should not lead to the abandonment of recent efforts aimed at reducing deforestation, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening protections for wetlands, páramos, and the Amazon. “We have a legacy that, despite our differences, should be preserved,” Vélez stated. “It would be an unforgivable mistake to abandon this agenda simply because it comes from a different political sector. Social and environmental justice must remain at the center of the political agenda.”