Environmental regulatory processes face resets in Chile and Venezuela

In Chile, Mapuche communities are seeking to revert the indigenous consultation process regarding the implementation of the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP) to its initial stages. Following the Ministry of Environment's invalidation of the previous consultation due to missing official documents, community leaders, including Francisco Vera Millaquen, have cited negligence and irregularities. These include the loss of signed minutes, inadequate transport for participants, and the premature closing of the consultation period.

In Venezuela, Minister of Environment Fabio Arjona addressed the revocation of a previous administration's resolution regarding the protection of the Santurbán Paramo. The current government revoked Resolution 0994, which had established the 'La Baja' natural resource reserve. Arjona explained that the decision does not eliminate the need for protection but rather resets the process to a point where effective participation of all stakeholders can be guaranteed, following a judicial order regarding procedural irregularities and unresolved recusations.