In the heart of Colombia, a battle for the future of the nation's energy landscape is unfolding, with activists like Yuvelis Morales Blanco leading the charge. The recent election of a far-right president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has brought a new urgency to this fight, as the country's environmental movement braces for a potential rollback of hard-won progress.
Morales, a recipient of the prestigious Goldman environmental prize, has been a driving force in the movement to halt oil extraction and fracking in Puerto Wilches. Her activism is deeply rooted in her connection to nature, shaped by her upbringing near the Magdalena River, a lifeline for her community.
The election of de la Espriella, with his pledge to exploit fossil fuels, marks a stark departure from the previous leftist administration's focus on the energy transition. Despite this setback, Morales and her fellow activists remain resolute, emphasizing their willingness to engage in dialogue while also preparing for potential mobilization to protect their natural resources and rights.
The incoming government's stance on environmental issues is complex. While the president-elect has softened his rhetoric on fracking and large-scale extraction since the election, the environmental agenda remains a divisive topic in Colombia. The results in Santander, where de la Espriella won in nearly every municipality except for the areas where oil extraction has been a long-standing practice, highlight this divide.
Economically, Colombia's reliance on fossil fuels has been diminishing. Non-mining and non-energy exports now account for over half of the country's total exports, surpassing mining and energy for the first time in a decade. However, critics argue that a middle-income country like Colombia cannot afford to abandon its oil, coal, and gas industries, especially with a fiscal deficit at its highest level since the pandemic.
Andrés Gómez, a petroleum engineer and advocate for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, proposes a managed decline of extractive revenues rather than an abrupt abandonment. He highlights Colombia's diverse exports, including coffee, flowers, and fruit, and emphasizes the country's relatively small share of the world's proven oil reserves compared to its neighbor, Venezuela.
Under the previous administration, Colombia's renewable energy capacity grew significantly, from 200 to 3,600 MW. Gómez believes this progress, coupled with the country's diplomatic efforts in favor of the energy transition, should be a state policy rather than a partisan issue.
As de la Espriella prepares to take office, the future of Colombia's environmental policies hangs in the balance. Susana Muhamad, a political scientist and former environment minister, predicts a policy of containment, with a focus on slowing the energy transition and potentially weakening environmental regulations. The future environment minister, Fabio Arjona, has already signaled a desire for greater efficiency in the environmental licensing process, raising concerns among activists.
The incoming government's alignment with former presidents Álvaro Uribe and Juan Manuel Santos, who championed the 'mining locomotive' as a key economic driver, suggests a potential return to a fossil fuel-centric approach. Muhamad warns that the fossil fuel push this time may be even more aggressive, influenced by the alliance with the United States and the pressure from figures like Donald Trump.
The collision of mineral ambitions with the long-standing issue of violence in remote areas of Colombia is a concern. The potential for a military offensive to regain control of these economies could put vulnerable rural communities at risk once again.
Despite the electoral defeat of the leftist candidate, Iván Cepeda, who promised to continue the energy transition, the environmental movement in Colombia remains united and organized. Morales highlights the contrast between the abundant natural resources in her region, the Magdalena Medio, and the lack of benefits for local communities. The pollution of the river, a vital source of life and identity, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
Over the past four years, Colombia has positioned itself as a laboratory for the energy transition, hosting international conferences on biodiversity and the transition away from fossil fuels. The country's role on the world stage is set to change dramatically, and activists like Morales are calling on the international community to hold Colombia accountable to its fossil fuel treaties and ensure the protection of local communities as the nation navigates its path toward a genuine energy transition.
