# Environmental and wildlife law enforcement in Latin America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/environmental-and-wildlife-law-enforcement-in-latin-america
> Updated: 2026-09-28T20:45:54.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 3.

Authorities in Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia have conducted various enforcement operations targeting environmental crimes and wildlife trafficking.

In Mexico, law enforcement intercepted a bus in Chihuahua containing 95 illegally transported animals, including 75 red-legged tarantulas and 20 Mexican broken-back turtles. In a separate incident in Cihuatlán, police arrested a suspect for the possession of 125 olive ridley sea turtle eggs. More recently, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) seized 23 wildlife specimens in Tepotzotlán, State of Mexico, after a facility failed to provide legal documentation. These specimens included 19 endangered Mexican axolotls, three veiled chameleons, and one threatened boa constrictor.

In addition to enforcement, Mexican environmental agencies have focused on conservation efforts. The National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) organized the fifth Regional Corn Fair in the Sierra de San Miguelito Area for the Protection of Flora and Fauna to promote agrobiodiversity and traditional knowledge.

In Argentina, officials in Cutral Co seized three African hedgehogs and a firearm during a raid investigating the illegal commercialization of exotic fauna. Meanwhile, in Colombia, environmental police in Neiva identified an individual illegally disposing of construction and demolition waste near a protected zone in the Pozo Ancho sector.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: Mexico environmental agencies promote biodiversity and seize illegal wildlife

Mexican environmental agencies held a regional corn fair to promote agrobiodiversity and seized 23 wildlife specimens, including endangered axolotls, in Tepotzotlán due to lack of legal documentation.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-environmental-agencies-promote-biodiversity-and-seize-illegal-wildlife

### 2026-09-23: Environmental enforcement actions reported in Mexico and Colombia

Authorities in Mexico and Colombia have intervened in environmental crimes involving the illegal collection of sea turtle eggs and the improper disposal of construction waste in protected zones.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/environmental-enforcement-actions-reported-in-mexico-and-colombia

### 2026-09-17: Wildlife authorities seize exotic animals in Mexico and Argentina

Authorities in Mexico and Argentina seized illegal wildlife, including tarantulas, turtles, and African hedgehogs, during separate operations targeting exotic animal trafficking.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cutral-co-authorities-seize-african-hedgehogs-and-firearm-in-wildlife-raid

---
Cite as: Environmental and wildlife law enforcement in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/environmental-and-wildlife-law-enforcement-in-latin-america