Colombia protects 42% of Amazon from mining and oil extraction
The Colombian government, under President Gustavo Petro, declared 483,283 km² of the Amazon region a reserve of renewable natural resources, covering roughly 42 % of the country's territory. The declaration, issued through Resolution 0961 of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, bans any new mining concessions or oil contracts within the area. Existing contracts remain in force but cannot be extended once current authorizations expire.
The protected zone spans the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vaupés and is intended to safeguard biodiversity that harbours about 10 % of all known species, as well as vital water sources. The measure was announced hours before Petro left office, and it establishes a permanent restriction that will shape the policies of his successor, President‑elect Abelardo de Espriella.
Entities: Abelardo De La Espriella · Abelardo de Espriella · Colombian Amazon · Gustavo Petro · Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development · Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Colombia) · National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) · Resolution 0961
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Amazon region protected by the reserve hosts about 10% of all known species. (Government statement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The decision was announced hours before the end of President Gustavo Petro's term. (Press release)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Colombia declared 483,283 km² of its Amazon as a reserve of renewable natural resources. (Resolution 0961 of the Ministry of Environment)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The protected area represents about 42% of Colombia's national territory. (Government announcement)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Existing mining and oil contracts remain valid but cannot be extended beyond current terms. (Resolution 0961)
- [● 2 SOURCES] No new mining concessions or oil contracts can be granted in the declared reserve. (Resolution 0961)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The protected zones include the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vaupés. (Government decree)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The declaration was made through Resolution 0961 of the Ministry of Environment.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Colombia declared 483,283 km² of the Amazon as a reserve of renewable natural resources. (Resolution 0961 of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The protected area represents about 42% of Colombia's continental territory.
- [● 2 SOURCES] No new mining concessions or hydrocarbon contracts can be granted in the declared Amazon reserve.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The decision was announced shortly before the end of President Gustavo Petro's term.