Against the Clock, Minambiente Seeks to Shield the Amazon From Oil

Environmental attorney María Camila Aponte was cited in an El Espectador article on the Ministry of Environment's initiative to declare a reserve in the Colombian Amazon biome free of new mining concessions and oil exploration and production contracts. The publication analyzed the prior consultation process with the indigenous peoples of the region, the legal scope of the resolution, and the challenges the measure would face just one month before the government transition. Ms. Aponte warned that attempting to conclude the consultation process in such a short time could raise questions about the sufficiency of participation, and noted that even if the resolution is issued before the change of government, the new administration could push for its modification or repeal; additionally, she questioned the effectiveness of the measure if it is not complemented with strategies to combat illicit economies in the region.

"Even under certain foreseeable circumstances, the applicability of mechanisms such as direct revocation could be analyzed, although this would be subject to compliance with the requirements and limitations established by the legal framework," she said.

READ: Against the Clock, Minambiente Seeks to Shield the Amazon From Oil