Home / Environment / Colombia's Oil City Chokes on Pollution and Violence
Colombia's Oil City Chokes on Pollution and Violence
24 Feb
Summary
- Oil spills from a state-owned refinery have devastated wildlife.
- Armed groups threaten fishing communities and steal fuel.
- Manatee populations are on the brink of collapse due to pollution.
The San Silvestre wetlands in Barrancabermeja, Colombia, once a sanctuary for manatees and jaguars, are now choked by oil spills from a state-owned refinery. These persistent leaks and Ecopetrol's alleged "web of deceit and cover-ups" have led to the decimation of fish populations and pushed manatees to the brink of collapse. Environmental reports detail over 800 incidents of major damage linked to Ecopetrol, with many not reported to authorities.
The impact on local communities, heavily reliant on fishing, is catastrophic. "If we can't fish, we can't eat," states Yuly Velásquez, president of a sustainable fishing organization. Farmers report livestock dying from poisoned water. The situation is further complicated by the expansion of illegal armed groups who hack into pipelines to steal fuel, causing further spills.
These armed groups also pose a severe threat to activists and fishing families, employing intimidation, threats, and assassination attempts. Colombia is recognized as one of the world's most dangerous countries for environmental defenders. This escalating violence has forcibly displaced fishing families and driven many to abandon their livelihoods, creating an atmosphere of fear and instability in Barrancabermeja.
