Walka przeciwko wylesianiu Amazonii i rządowi Kolumbii: groźby dla przywódców na całym świecie

Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, also known by his alias Ivan Mordisco, is the leader of the Central General Staff (EMC), one of the biggest armed groups in Colombia. Accusations of crimes such as drug trafficking, mass killing of civilians, and forced recruitment of children have placed him on the list of terrorists and made him a prime target for Colombian security forces.

Mordisco gained power over the southern regions of Colombia through his ruthless tactics and his followers, who are former fighters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). In 2022, he imposed strict annual limits on deforestation in the areas under his control. Those who exceeded the 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 Viso Mutop organization, the EMC’s „orders restricting deforestation and burning of forests had the greatest impact on reducing deforestation.” Mordisco himself gained a position for peace negotiations with the Colombian government thanks to these measures.

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

Potential Setback

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

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

-„COP16 will fail, even if the city is filled with troops,” Mordisco announced. An EMC spokesperson added that the group has no plans for a direct attack on the summit. However, weeks before the event, there were brutal attacks in the vicinity of Cali, which forced the government to deploy additional military units to the streets.
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