Colombia lifts ban on glyphosate aerial spraying for coca eradication

glyphosate coca crops aerial spraying drug eradication Colombia

The Colombian government, led by President Abelardo de la Espriella, has officially repealed Resolution 6 of 2015, which had suspended the use of glyphosate for aerial spraying to eradicate illicit coca crops. This decision, made by the National Council on Narcotics through Resolution 0006 of 2026, marks a significant shift in the country's anti-drug policy.

While the repeal reopens the legal pathway for aerial fumigation, it does not authorize an immediate resumption of flights. The government must first satisfy several legal and environmental requirements established by the Constitutional Court. These include the development of a General Environmental Management Plan by the National Authority of Environmental Licenses (ANLA) and conducting prior consultations with ethnic and indigenous communities in affected territories.

The decision follows a record year for coca cultivation, with 261,000 hectares recorded in 2024. The government cited recent findings from the US EPA and the US Supreme Court suggesting glyphosate is unlikely to be carcinogenic as part of its reasoning for revisiting the ban, which was originally implemented in 2015 following WHO classifications. Environmental groups and local farmers have expressed opposition, citing concerns over human health and local livelihoods.

Entities

Abelardo De La Espriella · Amazonia · Autoridad Nacional de Licencias Ambientales · Boyacá · Carlos Eduardo Sepúlveda · Colombia · Consejo Nacional de Estupefacientes · Constitutional Court · Constitutional Court of Colombia · Corte Constitucional · Fabián Acero · Garagoa

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] The government must conduct prior consultations with ethnic communities www.agronegocios.co · diariodelnorte.net · rionoticias.co · somosfan.com · diariodelhuila.com · +1 more
[● 12 SOURCES] The National Council on Narcotics (CNE) repealed Resolution 6 of 2015 www.agronegocios.co · diariodelnorte.net · www.cablenoticias.com · rionoticias.co · somosfan.com · +4 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The repeal does not imply an automatic resumption of aerial spraying www.agronegocios.co · diariodelnorte.net · rionoticias.co · somosfan.com · www.radiosantafe.com · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Colombia recorded 261,000 hectares of coca crops in 2024. diariodelnorte.net · seguimiento.co · www.cablenoticias.com
[● 9 SOURCES] The government must obtain an Environmental Management Plan from ANLA. www.agronegocios.co · diariodelnorte.net · rionoticias.co · somosfan.com · diariodelhuila.com · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The US EPA and Supreme Court stated glyphosate is unlikely to be carcinogenic. www.cablenoticias.com · seguimiento.co · diariodelhuila.com
[● 12 SOURCES] The lifting of the ban does not mean the immediate resumption of aerial spraying. www.businessdaily.gr · www.in.gr · www.zougla.gr · www.agronegocios.co · diariodelnorte.net · +7 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Colombia has joined the ‘Shield of the Americas’, a regional alliance against organized crime. www.businessdaily.gr · www.in.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 10 SOURCES] The Colombian government has lifted the ban on glyphosate aerial spraying to target coca crops. www.businessdaily.gr · www.in.gr · www.zougla.gr · www.agronegocios.co · diariodelnorte.net · +5 more
[● 3 SOURCES] President Amelardo de la Espriella assumed office on August 7. www.businessdaily.gr · www.in.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The practice is approved provided that the minimization of unintended consequences is guaranteed. www.businessdaily.gr · www.in.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] Environmentalists and farmers oppose the measure, claiming it will harm local livelihoods more than drug cartels. www.businessdaily.gr · www.in.gr · www.zougla.gr · athina984.gr