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Putumayo judge suspends aerial spraying pilot program
A judge in Puerto Asís, Putumayo, has issued a provisional suspension of a government pilot program designed to use aerial spraying for the eradication of illicit coca crops. The program, promoted by the administration of President Abelardo De La Espriella, intended to test the use of ammonium glufosinate as an alternative to glyphosate over an area of up to 1,000 hectares.
The suspension follows a constitutional injunction (tutela) filed by the Fundación Tiempo de Cambios para la Transformación Social. The foundation argued that the pilot program poses significant risks to human health, water sources, biodiversity, and the rights of local communities, including indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations. The organization demanded independent scientific evidence to ensure the herbicide does not harm the environment or pollinators like bees.
The court has ordered the suspension to remain in effect until relevant institutions, including the National Police and the National Narcotics Council, provide detailed technical reports regarding the environmental and social risks, as well as the logistics of the operation. This judicial decision represents a significant setback for the government's anti-narcotics strategy, which seeks to resume aerial fumigation after a decade-long hiatus.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Foundation for Time of Changes for Social Transformation · Fundación Tiempo de Cambios para la Transformación Social · National Police of Colombia · Policía Nacional · Policía Nacional de Colombia · Puerto Asís · Putumayo · Third Promiscuous Court of Puerto Asís
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The suspension remains in effect until institutions present detailed technical reports on risks and logistics. www.diariodelsur.com.co · elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · extra.com.co · larazon.co
- [● 11 SOURCES] The pilot intended to use ammonium glufosinate as a replacement for glyphosate. www.diariodelsur.com.co · elnorte.com.co · elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · extra.com.co · larazon.co · +5 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The foundation filed a tutela (constitutional injunction) to stop the spraying due to potential risks. www.diariodelsur.com.co · elnorte.com.co · elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · extra.com.co · larazon.co · +5 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The pilot program planned to spray up to 1,000 hectares of illicit crops. www.diariodelsur.com.co · elnorte.com.co · elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · extra.com.co · larazon.co · +5 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The court issued a precautionary measure to suspend the aerial spraying pilot program in Putumayo. www.diariodelsur.com.co · elnorte.com.co · elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · extra.com.co · larazon.co · +5 more