Latest News

Colombia Accuses Peru of Taking Remote Island on Amazon River

By Richard Emblin - August 5, 2025

Colombia has accused Peru of illegally occupying a disputed island on the Amazon River, escalating tensions between the two neighbors. President Gustavo Petro claims Peru violated a 1934 treaty by creating the district of Santa Rosa de Loreto. Peru rejects the claim, asserting full sovereignty over its territory.

Cocaine Production Hits Record High, Colombia’s Coca Crop at 253,000 Hectares

By The City Paper Staff - June 26, 2025

Global cocaine production hit a record 3,708 tons in 2023, driven by a surge in coca cultivation in Colombia, the UN reported. Cocaine use, seizures, and drug-related environmental crimes are rising worldwide, with Indigenous communities in the Amazon disproportionately affected by violence, displacement, and illegal gold mining

COP16: Colombia calls for Genetic “Sovereignty” and Global Fund to share Data

By The City Paper Staff - October 23, 2024

Colombia has proposed at the COP16 Summit in Cali, the creation of an international fund to ensure that the commercial benefits obtained from genetic information are shared with countries of origin, promoting the protection of biodiversity.

COP16: Colombia launches “Water Police” to safeguard rivers and water sources

By The City Paper Staff - October 22, 2024

At the COP16 biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia unveiled its new Water Police division, a specialized force tasked with safeguarding the country’s rivers, lakes, wetlands, and endangered watersheds.

Colombia recognizes Indigenous Peoples as Environmental Authorities ahead of COP16

By The City Paper Staff - October 16, 2024

President Gustavo Petro signed a decree granting indigenous communities environmental authority over their territories. The move comes as Colombia prepares for COP16, highlighting indigenous roles in biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management

Amazon drought hits indigenous communities of Leticia and Puerto Nariño

By The City Paper Staff - October 2, 2024

Severe drought in the Amazon is causing critical water shortages, with river levels dropping by 80% across vast sections of the Amazon River. The Colombian port city of Leticia and neighboring indigenous communities are among the worst affected, as vital trade routes from Brazil and Peru have been disrupted.

Colombia records lowest deforestation rate this century

By The City Paper Staff - July 9, 2024

Colombia achieves record low deforestation rate in 2023 confirmed Environment Minister Susana Muhamad. The 36% drop in deforestation, marks the lowest rate ever recorded, and attributed to peace efforts and strengthened conservation agreements.

Saving the Amazon Awards 2024: Celebrating reforestation and conservation efforts

By The City Paper Staff - June 17, 2024

The first edition of the Saving the Amazon Awards was held in Bogotá and recognized reforestation and conservation projects across Colombia, as well as innovative environmental projects the support indigenous Amazonian communities.

Colombia’s Fernando Trujillo named Nat Geo’s 2024 Explorer of the Year

By The City Paper Staff - May 13, 2024

Colombian biologist and environmentalist Fernando Trujillo has been named the National Geographic Society’s 2024 Explorer of the Year. Trujillo’s Omacha Foundation works in the Colombian Amazonia to protect the pink river dolphin.

Stepfather of rescued Colombian plane crash girls arrested for sexual abuse

By The City Paper Staff - August 13, 2023

The National Attorney General’s Office has arrested the step-father of two of the indigenous girls who were rescued after 40 days lost in the Colombian Amazon.

Miracle! Missing children of Colombia plane crash alive in Amazon

By The City Paper Staff - June 9, 2023

After 40 days lost in the Amazon jungle, the Colombian Army confirmed that a search and rescue party have found alive the four missing children of a plane crash.

Colombia – U.S start Tenth High-Level Dialogue in Washington

By Richard Emblin - March 27, 2023

Although no reference was made by Chancellor Álvaro Leyva of President Petro’s “total peace” policy, the Colombian Government and US remain committed to sustainable development and peace in the hemisphere.

Colombia’s Blackhawk “Macaws” headed to protect Amazon

By The City Paper Staff - October 27, 2022

Twelve high-tech, tactical gunships make us the new “fleet of macaws” that will patrol Colombia’s Amazon and used to protect this biosphere against environmental crimes.

Petro calls for UN to end “war against planet”

By Richard Emblin - September 20, 2022

During his first address to the United Nations, Colombia’s Gustavo Petro called for an end to all wars, and war against the planet.

Sir Roger Casement’s defense of Colombia’s Putumayo

By Gonzalo Guillen - June 10, 2022

Sir Roger Casement exposed the injustices of the rubber trade in the Amazon before meeting an untimely end in his native Ireland.

Yellow alert declared for Bogotá as Amazon fires grow

By The City Paper Staff - February 5, 2022

Wild fires burning across northern South America have placed Bogotá under yellow alert for bad air quality.