AGP Executive Report

Biodiversity & Fungi Policy: Mycologists warn that without explicit legal recognition of fungi, new research may be sidelined from biodiversity rules and conservation plans—backed by the UK and Chile’s fungal pledge at UN talks in Colombia. Environmental Defenders Under Threat: Global Witness reports at least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed worldwide in 2025, with Latin America at 85%; Colombia recorded 39 deaths, and the report highlights Cauca as an epicenter amid land conflicts, weak protection, and organized crime. Plastics Industry Upgrade: Colombia is launching i4Plas, Latin America’s first Digital Transformation Center for the plastics sector, aiming to help plants adopt “smart factory” tools to boost productivity and sustainability. El Niño & Water Stress: Colombia flagged more than 500 areas at high El Niño risk, as drought and fires threaten ecosystems and communities. Aviation & Community Health: Authorities confirmed five people died after a Cessna T-206 crash during a health outreach mission between Chocó and Bogotá. Coca Eradication Policy: Colombia’s aerial fumigation plans are back in focus, even as legal challenges and health concerns continue to swirl.

Environmental Defenders Under Fire: Global Witness reports at least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed worldwide in 2025, with Latin America accounting for 85%—and Colombia topping the list for the fourth straight year with 39 killings (nearly half Indigenous). Drug Policy & Land Conflict: The U.S. keeps Colombia “decertified” on counternarcotics despite acknowledging President Abelardo de la Espriella’s promises to intensify action, including eventual aerial glyphosate spraying—raising concerns for communities caught in coca-driven land disputes. Earthquake Recovery in Chocó: Grupo Argos is pushing “Adopta un Hogar” to rebuild after the Aug. 10 quake, targeting 1,000 families with Quibdó as a key test case for faster, more collaborative recovery in a biodiversity-rich but infrastructure-poor region. Regional Climate Risk & Governance: A Bogotá launch of an environmental peacebuilding glossary highlights how conflict and environmental harm intersect, calling for better regional coordination to protect ecosystems without relying on military solutions alone. Human Rights & Tech: UC Berkeley’s Human Rights Center flags uneven human rights risks and opportunities from large language models, noting sharper impacts for people in the Global South using AI more ambitiously.

Land & Environmental Defenders: Global Witness reports at least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed worldwide in 2025, with Latin America the deadliest region (85% of deaths). Colombia remains the top country for the fourth year in a row, with 39 killings—nearly half of victims Indigenous people—often tied to land disputes, illegal mining, logging, and coca-related conflict. Community Self-Defense: The report says organized crime or contract killers were implicated in more than a third of cases, pushing some communities to form self-defence units as threats escalate. Energy & Climate Pressure: Colombia faces potential gas and electricity rate hikes as exploration investment drops 43%, just as El Niño strains hydro generation and increases reliance on costlier gas-fired power. Nature Economy Jobs: A new push argues Colombia can create hundreds of thousands of jobs by building a nature-based economy—green infrastructure, clean transport, and circular industries—leveraging its biodiversity. Local Tech for Utilities: EPM becomes the first Colombian public utility certified to operate drones, expanding monitoring and operational capabilities.

El Niño Water Crunch: Colombia’s housing ministry flagged 558 municipalities and non-municipal areas at high or very high risk from El Niño, warning of lower water supplies, fire damage, and worsening water quality—then issued guidance to secure alternate sources and keep aqueduct systems running. Amazon Governance: Experts warn a rightward shift could put up to 95% of the Amazon under mining- and agribusiness-friendly rule by 2027, raising the odds of a conservation “tipping point.” Energy Costs: With oil and gas exploration down 43%, Promigas warns Colombia could see significant gas and electricity rate pressure as households face El Niño stress and more reliance on imports. Nature Economy Jobs: A new push argues Colombia can create hundreds of thousands of jobs through green infrastructure, clean transport, circular economy, and nature-based tourism and exports. Biodiversity Research: Scientists report the Colombian deer has more lineages than previously believed, adding detail to conservation planning. Coastal Innovation: A Riviera Maya startup won a regional Startup World Cup spot for turning hard-to-handle plastic waste into new value. Drones for Public Services: EPM became the first Colombian utility certified to operate drones, expanding aerial monitoring with a fleet already flying since 2018.

US-Colombia Security & Energy: In Barranquilla, Colombia and the US signed pacts on critical minerals supply chains and strategic civil nuclear cooperation, aiming to deepen research and regulators’ links without authorizing nuclear tech transfers. El Niño Monitoring: Colombia’s Pacific “Ocean Mission” expedition is already past one-third of its 100-day plan, studying El Niño conditions across 75 stations, including sites inside marine protected areas. Education After Earthquake: The Jacobs Foundation is committing CHF 5 million to protect children’s access to education and reduce learning loss after Colombia’s Aug. 10 earthquake, supporting evidence-based continuity. Wildlife & Biodiversity: New research highlights that Colombia’s white-tailed deer has more lineages than previously believed, underscoring its role in ecosystem balance. Climate & Disaster Awareness: A global report argues extreme weather is rising, but many people still don’t connect floods, heat waves, and wildfires to global warming. Energy Planning: Colombia is studying feasibility for its first nuclear reactor by 2035, with universities analyzing technical, economic, environmental, and social conditions. Conservation & Species: A separate study reports fiddler crabs shredding microplastics in Colombia’s mangroves, pointing to nature-based cleanup potential.

Colombia’s Energy Debate: Colombia is studying feasibility for its first nuclear reactor by 2035, with universities and regional partners looking at technical, economic, environmental and social conditions—initially focusing on the Coffee Region, where hydropower dominates. Coca Eradication Court Clash: Colombia’s president says the government will appeal rulings that halted aerial operations, including a Putumayo crop-spraying suspension tied to concerns about minors. Biodiversity in Focus: New research highlights how community-led science is rapidly expanding knowledge of Colombia’s dragonflies in Guainía, with nearly 120 species found and freshwater pressures from mining, deforestation and waste looming. Wildlife Under Pressure: Colombia’s wildfires are leaving wildlife injured, displaced and losing habitat. Public Health Watch: Dengue risk is widening as humid climates boost mosquito breeding; Florida reported locally acquired cases, a reminder for Colombia to stay alert on early symptoms and bite prevention. Marine Conservation: Panama is pushing shark and ray protections to cut bycatch, though experts warn data gaps remain a major hurdle. Open Streets for Health: Bogotá’s Ciclovía model continues to inspire people-powered, car-free street events that support active mobility.

Colombia’s coca aerial spraying fight: A judge ordered an immediate halt to a Putumayo pilot aerial spraying plan, citing risks to farming communities and the environment, after the government moved to restart limited, temporary eradication using glufosinate ammonium. Local governance & rights: President Abelardo de la Espriella says the government will appeal court rulings that paused military actions tied to concerns about minors in militia camps and the spraying suspension. Biodiversity & water health: In Guainía, researchers working with Indigenous communities have nearly 120 dragonfly and damselfly species—highlighting freshwater ecosystem pressure from mining, deforestation, waste, and tourism. Plastic pollution in mangroves: A study finds fiddler crabs in Colombia’s Gulf of Urabá swallow microplastics and fragment them into smaller particles, worsening cleanup challenges. Conservation data networks: Argentina’s Snapshot project expands camera-trap monitoring with a shared protocol to track terrestrial mammals and guide conservation. Faith & climate accountability: Methodist churches and partners in Britain, Ireland, and Colombia filed a complaint urging scrutiny of HSBC’s financing of Glencore’s mining in La Guajira over alleged water, health, and displacement impacts.

Colombia’s Aerial Spraying Fight: A judge in Putumayo has suspended the government’s aerial coca-spraying pilot, citing risks to farming communities and the environment, after authorities moved to restart limited, temporary trials using glufosinate-ammonium. Wildlife & Habitat Under Pressure: Colombia’s mangroves are showing how plastic can move through ecosystems—fiddler crabs in the Gulf of Urabá are swallowing microplastics and breaking them into smaller particles. Amazon Biodiversity Snapshot: A new report says the Amazon basin holds 2,700+ freshwater fish species, arguing the region can still prevent major biodiversity loss if protection comes before restoration is needed. Regional Indigenous Health Networks: Traditional healers from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network to push Indigenous medicinal knowledge into healthcare systems. Community Open Streets: Bogotá’s Sunday Streets model continues to spread people-powered, car-free public space ideas across Latin America. Conservation Monitoring: Argentina is joining an international mammal monitoring network using standardized camera traps to make data comparable for conservation decisions. Plastic-Waste Fallout in Latin America: After China’s plastic-waste import ban, researchers flag multiple Latin American hotspots where waste is piling up with limited local capacity to manage it. Workplace Accountability: A Zara employee in Bogotá alleges humiliating treatment by management, including being forced to leave the store barefoot—an unexpected but urgent human-rights angle amid broader sustainability conversations.

Coca Spraying Court Stop: A Colombian judge in Putumayo ordered an immediate halt to a government aerial coca-spraying pilot, demanding more information on health and environmental risks tied to glufosinate ammonium. Water & Fire Pressure: Eight Colombian cities are on red alert as El Niño drives water shortages and wildfires, threatening ecosystems and livelihoods. Mangrove Microplastics: In Colombia’s Gulf of Urabá, fiddler crabs are shredding microplastics in mangroves, turning pollution into smaller, harder-to-clean particles that can move through food webs. Plastic-Waste Fallout: A new study flags Latin America as a hotspot after China’s plastic-waste import ban, citing rising dumping and weak local capacity to manage waste safely. Earthquake Reconstruction Costs: One month after Colombia’s earthquake, officials say recovery is shifting from rescue to rebuilding homes, services, and resilient infrastructure—requiring major financing. Faith vs Mining Finance: Methodist churches and partners filed a complaint urging scrutiny of HSBC’s financing of Glencore-linked mining impacts in La Guajira, including water and health concerns.

Coca Spraying Court Fight: A Colombian judge has suspended a Putumayo pilot for aerial spraying of illicit crops, ordering the government to provide details on health and environmental risks tied to glufosinate ammonium—after local legal action argued the plan could violate the long-standing ban and threaten communities and ecosystems. El Niño Water & Fire Alerts: Asocapitales says eight Colombian capital cities remain on red alert for El Niño-linked water shortages and vegetation fires, with the highest vulnerability in Santa Marta, San Andrés, Riohacha, Quibdó, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Neiva and Pasto. Earthquake Reconstruction Costs: One month after Colombia’s 7.4 quake, reconstruction is shifting from rescue to rebuilding homes, services and local economies, with experts warning the financial architecture needed could reach up to US$8.4 billion. Faith vs. Mining Finance: Methodist churches and faith groups filed an environmental complaint in the UK over HSBC’s financing of Glencore’s mining in La Guajira, citing alleged water impacts, displacement and health harms.

Climate & Disaster Risk in Colombia: Eight capital cities are still on red alert as El Niño strengthens, with water shortages and vegetation fires driving the highest risks—Santa Marta, San Andrés, Riohacha, Quibdó, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Neiva and Pasto. Earthquake Recovery Costs: One month after Colombia’s 7.4 quake, reconstruction is projected to cost up to US$8.4B, with hundreds of thousands of affected people and major damage to schools and health centers. Wildfires & Wildlife: Colombia’s wildfires are injuring, displacing and shrinking habitat for wildlife, adding pressure to already stressed ecosystems. Water & Power Under El Niño: Colombia is moving to reduce power transfers as reservoir levels drop, highlighting how drought and energy systems are tightening together. Mining Finance Accountability: Methodist churches and faith groups in Britain, Ireland and Colombia filed an environmental complaint against HSBC over alleged financing tied to mining impacts in La Guajira, including displacement and water and health harms. Biodiversity Monitoring: Colombia is consolidating a biodiversity monitoring network using camera traps to better track wildlife and ecosystem change. Coca Eradication by Air: Colombia announced a trial aerial fumigation program aimed at reviving eradication efforts. International Climate Governance: UNESCO is rolling out new tools to strengthen ethical AI governance, including discussions on AI’s environmental impacts.

El Niño Alert: Eight Colombian capital cities are on red alert as El Niño strengthens, with Ideam warning the most intense period may hit in late 2026 and extend into early 2027—raising water-shortage risk and vegetation-fire danger. Wildlife Under Fire: Colombia’s 2026 wildfires have burned tens of thousands of hectares in Tolima and National Parks areas, and authorities are treating injured animals, but many smaller species die before they’re ever found. Coca Eradication Pilot: Colombia’s National Narcotics Council ordered a limited aerial fumigation pilot using glufosinate in Putumayo, with exclusions for protected and environmentally sensitive zones and a focus on evaluating effectiveness. Hippo Safety Ruling: A judge ordered environmental authorities to control hippos threatening schoolchildren in Puerto Nare after repeated dangerous river crossings without warning signs. US-Colombia Climate/Trade Context: Germany’s chamber launched “Powered by Germany – Allies for the Future,” signaling more industrial and modernization investment ties with Colombia. Security & Environment Link: Colombia’s alliance-building with the US on critical minerals and security continues as regional cooperation expands.

Wildfire Fallout in Colombia: Colombia’s 2026 wildfire season has scorched tens of thousands of hectares in Tolima and inside National Parks, and wildlife rescues are only a partial snapshot—fires destroy nests, refuges, and food, leaving many smaller animals to die unseen. El Niño Preparedness: With El Niño strengthening into a strong to very strong event, Colombia is moving into anticipatory measures as drought, heat, wildfires, and food insecurity risks rise. Coca Aerial Spraying Pilot: Colombia’s National Narcotics Council ordered a limited, temporary aerial eradication pilot using glufosinate ammonium in Putumayo, with exclusions for protected areas and sensitive territories and requirements for health and environmental approvals. Hippos vs. Schoolchildren: A judge ordered authorities to control hippos threatening students traveling by boat in Antioquia’s Puerto Nare after residents reported no warning signs and repeated dangerous encounters. Food Security Pressure: A new FAO-linked look at rising food prices points to weather shocks, geopolitical disruptions, and trade bottlenecks—reminding Colombia that resilience is about the whole food system, not just farms. Global Drug Policy Reform: A commission brief argues children and young people are too often used as justification for punitive drug laws, calling for a child-rights-based reform agenda.

Coca Eradication Update: Colombia approved a one-week aerial coca eradication pilot using glufosinate ammonium (not glyphosate), limited to 1,000 hectares, with restrictions around protected areas and Indigenous/Afro-Colombian territories pending consultation. Earthquake Recovery Watch: One month after Colombia’s 7.4 quake, PAHO/WHO says 331 dead and 4,519 injured, with 400 health facilities affected; recovery is still balancing essential services and emerging public health risks. Climate Resilience Spotlight: A new index ranked Chicago the most climate-resilient major city, while also placing Bogotá in the top tier—useful context as Colombia faces El Niño-driven stress. El Niño Food Pressure: Reports say Colombia’s El Niño drought is pushing food prices up sharply, adding pressure to already vulnerable households. Biodiversity & Conservation Finance: Gabon launched a $200M “Project Finance for Permanence” initiative to protect biodiversity and support communities—an example of conservation funding models relevant to the region. Wildlife & Health: Yellow fever is appearing beyond traditional risk zones, including Colombia’s Tolima, raising vaccination timing concerns for travelers. Security vs. Environment: Rubio’s regional push links minerals and civil nuclear cooperation to security goals, but environmental defenders fear mining-linked violence could worsen.

El Niño Food Shock in Colombia: Colombia’s El Niño drought is pushing food prices up as water shortages and forest fires cut crop volume and quality, with some staples rising as much as 60% in recent weeks. Coca Eradication Trial: Colombia announced a one-week, limited aerial spraying test to curb coca, using glufosinate ammonium instead of glyphosate and excluding sensitive areas like wetlands, parks, and Afro-descendant communities. Climate Rule-of-Law Push: A new UNEP report says countries are turning “just transition” pledges into laws and court decisions, arguing climate action must be fair, rights-based, and grounded in environmental rule of law. Carbon Markets Legislation: Lawmakers are working to create clearer frameworks for carbon certificates, aiming to boost investment and align rules with international standards. Biodiversity Under Pressure: A study warns Caribbean queen conch marine protected areas may lose the ocean conditions the species needs within two decades, even before overfishing is fully controlled. WWF Coffee for Forests: WWF launched a Colombian coffee range where 100% of profits go to protecting forests, wildlife, and natural habitats. Climate Resilience Ranking: Chicago topped a global resiliency-to-climate-change ranking, with Bogotá also placing in the top tier. Minerals Deal Raises Stakes: The U.S. and Colombia signed memorandums on rare earths and critical minerals, while environmental defenders fear expanded mining could increase violence against nature protectors.

Climate & Wildlife: A new study warns the Caribbean’s queen conch could lose suitable habitat fast as marine protected areas fail the climate test, shifting conservation from fisheries management to a bigger ecosystem problem. Biodiversity Under Pressure: Researchers at Colombia’s Environmental Week say rising temperatures and shrinking rainfall could cut Colombia’s Andean bear population by up to 60% by 2050, with páramos at particular risk. Indigenous Adaptation: In Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Wiwa families are moving downslope to protect community cohesion amid climate stress and armed pressure, guided by a “law of origin.” El Niño Food Risks: The UN’s WFP warns a potential “super El Niño” could threaten food security across Latin America, with up to 16 million people at risk from drought and crop damage. Energy & Minerals: Colombia and the U.S. signed deals on critical minerals/rare earths and civil nuclear cooperation during Marco Rubio’s visit, aiming to build more resilient supply chains. Security Tech: Colombia is looking to Ukraine’s counter-drone experience as armed groups increasingly use drones in attacks.