Rycerz Amazonii na celowniku światowych przywódców: walka o ochronę lasów deszcz owych

Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, also known as Ivan Mordisco, is the leader of the Central General Staff (EMC), one of the largest armed groups in Colombia. Accused of crimes such as drug trafficking, mass killings of civilians, and forced recruitment of children, he has earned a spot on the list of terrorists and has become one of the main targets of Colombian security forces.

Mordisco gained power over the southern regions of Colombia through his ruthlessness and his men, who are former fighters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FRAC). In 2022, he established strict annual limits on deforestation in the areas controlled by him. Those who exceeded these limits faced fines, forced labor, or even death.

Change in Strategy

In the past year alone, deforestation in the country has been reduced by 36%, which Environment Minister Susana Muhamad called a „breakthrough result.” According to Pedro Arenas of the organization Viso Mutop, it was the EMC’s „restrictions on deforestation and burning that had the greatest impact on reducing deforestation.” Mordisco himself gained a position for peace negotiations with the Colombian government by implementing these rules.

However, when the government broke off negotiations with EMC earlier this year after his fighters bombed a police station and murdered a local leader, Mordisco not only lifted the ban but also pressured farmers to cut down more trees.

Mordisco could undo all the progress his country has made in environmental protection. Residents of the Amazon, peace forces, and environmental experts emphasize that Mordisco and the EMC currently „pose a huge obstacle to government environmental protection plans.”

Additionally, the EMC forces led by him have threatened to disrupt the COP16 meeting, where presidents and ministers from around the world discuss how to save global biodiversity. The event is taking place from October 21 to November 1 in the Colombian city of Cali.

„COP16 will fail, even if the city is filled with soldiers,” Mordisco declared. An EMC spokesperson added that the group has no plans to directly attack the summit. However, weeks before the event, there were brutal attacks in the vicinity of Cali, forcing the government to deploy additional military units to the streets.
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