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11 clusters · 66 sources · 60 days · First seen 3 months ago · Last updated 24 days ago

Colombian national and regional developments

Overview

Developments in Colombia involve a mix of national political shifts and regional administrative updates. Nationally, focus has been placed on the administration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, including his ideological direction and appointments within the Ministry of Education and the ICBF. Discussions also continue regarding the formalization of Indigenous Territorial Entities to bolster regional autonomy and multiculturalism.

In a significant policy shift, the de la Espriella administration has revoked the 2015 regulation that suspended the aerial spraying of glyphosate for the eradication of illicit coca crops. Through Resolution 0006 of 2026, the National Narcotics Council (CNE) ended the decade-long ban on the herbicide. To implement this shift, the government authorized an experimental pilot program to evaluate the use of glufosinate ammonium 200 SL—a Class II herbicide classified by the World Health Organization as ‘moderately hazardous’—as an alternative to glyphosate. The pilot, part of the ‘Esmeralda Plus Strategy’ led by the National Police, aims to treat up to 1,000 hectares of coca crops.

Following a constitutional injunction (tutela) by the Fundación Tiempo de Cambios para la Transformación Social, a judge in Puerto Asís, Putumayo, issued a provisional suspension of the pilot, citing concerns regarding unverified environmental and sanitary requirements and insufficient technical concepts from the National Institute of Health.

In response, a broad coalition of seven government entities—including the ministries of Defense, Justice, Interior, and Health, the National Police, and the National Authority of Environmental Licenses (ANLA)—has challenged the ruling. Justice Minister Iván Cancino stated that the program is a ‘controlled, temporary phase’ intended to scientifically verify the chemical’s effectiveness rather than to experiment on humans. Cancino emphasized that the pilot, intended to cover 1,000 hectares over seven days, will only proceed if it strictly adheres to Constitutional Court requirements, international standards, and specific regulatory resolutions.

Entities

Abelardo De La Espriella · Colombia · Putumayo · Consejo Nacional de Estupefacientes · National Authority of Environmental Licenses

Claims

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

[● 14 SOURCES] The Consejo Nacional de Estupefacientes authorized an experimental pilot plan for aerial spraying against illicit crops.
[● 13 SOURCES] The pilot program is prohibited in protected areas, paramos, wetlands, and ecosystems under environmental protection.
[● 13 SOURCES] The pilot is prohibited in territories of indigenous or Afro-descendant communities without prior consultation.
[● 12 SOURCES] The National Council on Narcotics (CNE) repealed Resolution 6 of 2015
[● 12 SOURCES] The lifting of the ban does not mean the immediate resumption of aerial spraying.
[● 11 SOURCES] The pilot program will cover a maximum area of 1,000 hectares.
[● 11 SOURCES] The court issued a precautionary measure to suspend the aerial spraying pilot program in Putumayo.
[● 11 SOURCES] The foundation filed a tutela (constitutional injunction) to stop the spraying due to potential risks.
[● 11 SOURCES] The pilot intended to use ammonium glufosinate as a replacement for glyphosate.
[● 10 SOURCES] The Colombian government has lifted the ban on glyphosate aerial spraying to target coca crops.
[● 10 SOURCES] The field duration of the pilot program is limited to a maximum of seven calendar days.

Timeline

24 days ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Colombia government challenges suspension of aerial crop spraying
The Colombian government is challenging a judicial suspension of a pilot aerial spraying program for coca crops, with officials stating the plan will only proceed if all legal and environmental requirements are
28 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
Legal disputes arise over herbicide spraying in Colombia and pollution penalties in Argentina
Legal developments in Colombia and Argentina involve appeals regarding aerial herbicide spraying in Putumayo and increased environmental pollution penalties for sugar company executives.
29 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
UN experts warn Colombia's drug policies may deepen racial discrimination
UN experts warn that Colombia's proposed intensification of aerial crop fumigation and security measures could exacerbate systemic racism and disproportionately impact Afro-Colombian communities.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Colombia seeks to resume aerial spraying of illicit crops
The Colombian government's plan to resume aerial spraying of illicit crops using glufosinate ammonium faces intense opposition from indigenous groups and legal hurdles due to health and environmental risks.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Colombia defends aerial spraying pilot plan for illicit crops
The Colombian government is defending a pilot aerial spraying plan in Putumayo to combat illicit crops, despite a temporary judicial suspension over environmental and health concerns.
about 1 month ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 20 sources
Putumayo judge suspends aerial spraying pilot program
A Colombian judge has suspended a government pilot program in Putumayo to test aerial spraying of ammonium glufosinate on coca crops, citing potential risks to health and the environment.
about 1 month ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 16 sources
Colombia authorizes aerial spraying pilot program against coca crops
Colombia has authorized an experimental pilot program to test aerial spraying of glufosinate ammonium against coca crops, covering up to 1,000 hectares using manned aircraft.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Colombia revokes suspension of aerial glyphosate spraying
Colombian rural communities and social groups are protesting the government's decision to resume aerial glyphosate spraying to eradicate illicit crops, citing health and environmental risks.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Colombia's National Council on Narcotics repeals glyphosate suspension
Colombia's National Council on Narcotics repealed the resolution suspending glyphosate aerial spraying, but legal and environmental requirements must be met before fumigation can resume.
about 2 months ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 27 sources
Colombia lifts ban on glyphosate aerial spraying for coca eradication
Colombia's government has repealed a 2015 ban on glyphosate aerial spraying for coca eradication, though immediate resumption is contingent on environmental plans and community consultations.
3 months ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
Colombia's Deportivo Magazine Launches July 2026 Edition Covering Politics and Sports
Deportivo's July 2026 issue in Colombia blends politics—featuring Governor Jorge Emilio Rey and president‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella—with extensive sports coverage of the World Cup, Liga BetPlay, and the 6‑

Sources

360radio.com.co · abceconomia.co · agronegocios.co · allegrini.it · athina984.gr · boyaca7dias.com.co · boyacadigital.com · brasildefato.com.br · businessdaily.gr · cablenoticias.tv · camara.gov.co · cfin.com.ar · colombia.com · colombiareports.com · diariodelcauca.com.co · diariodelhuila.com · diariodelnorte.net · diariodelsur.com.co · diariofirmat.com.ar · diarioformosa.net · economis.com.ar · eje21.com.co · ekriti.gr · eldiario.com.co · elespectador.com · elmonterizo.com · elnorte.com.co · elnuevodiario.com.do · elnuevosiglo.com.co · elpaisvallenato.com · elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · extra.com.co · filo.news · gargalianoionline.gr · globaldiasporanews.com · hawaiitribune-herald.com · hotnews.ro · hsbnoticias.com · in.gr · indepaz.org.co · infodia.com.ar · kaosenlared.net · lanacion.com.co · laopinion.com.co · larazon.co · lasillavacia.com · lavanguardia.com · minuto30.com

This summary has been updated 20 times: see revision history