Colombian President Gustavo Petro Photo: ghall.
Armed militants controlling territories in the Amazon have threatened the UN Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) to be held in Colombia. President Gustavo Petro assured that the safety of the participants would be ensured despite the threats. This was reported by hromadske.ua.
Key details of the COP16 summit
Representatives from 190 countries and about 15,000 participants are expected to gather in the city of Cali from 21 October to 1 November. The main goal of the summit is to discuss and protect the world’s flora and fauna. Environmentalists warn that ecosystems are reaching a critical point, which could lead to accelerated species extinction.
Threat from militants
The left-wing rebel group Estado Mayor Central (EMC) warned delegates not to attend the summit via social media. Cali is located close to EMC-controlled territory. Although the group has promised not to attack the city, they recently attacked the village of El Plateado, injuring 17 people and blocking highways.
Actions of the authorities
Responding to the threats, President Petro deployed 11,000 police and military personnel to Cali, as well as another 1,400 to control the coastal city of El Plateado. On the social network X, he assured that “the security of COP16 is guaranteed”.
History of the EMC militants
The EMC was founded by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who refused to accept a peace deal with the government in 2016. After the militants attacked a military base, killing two soldiers, Colombian authorities stepped up their fight against the guerrillas. In April, the FARC split into two wings: one supporting the negotiations, while the other opposed them and launched attacks in El Plateado and other Amazonian regions.
The western region of Colombia, particularly around Cali, has long been of strategic importance to criminal groups due to its access to the Pacific Ocean. This makes it an important hub for cocaine, marijuana and gold trafficking. Poor rural and urban communities provide recruits for armed groups, which strengthens their ranks. At the same time, armed groups in the Amazon are engaged in environmental crimes in an attempt to exert political pressure on the government.
The COP16 summit is an important international event, and despite threats from militants, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has asserted that the safety of participants will be ensured. This issue is critical to the future of global environmental cooperation, and the world is watching developments in Colombia with great attention.
