Amazon Deforestation Worsening Under Petro Administration

In 2024, Colombia experienced a 35% increase in deforestation compared to the previous year, with forest loss reaching 1,070 square kilometers, according to Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, who recently resigned and took another position in the Gustavo Petro government. This rise follows a significant reduction in 2023, when deforestation fell to just over 792 square kilometers—a 23-year low—from approximately 1,235 square kilometers in 2022.

The Amazon region was notably affected, with deforestation increasing by more than 50% to 680 square kilometers in 2024. Traditionally, the Amazon has been the most impacted area concerning deforestation in Colombia. Minister Muhamad attributed the uptick to medium-sized deforestation operations financed by substantial capital, indicating organized crime involvement rather than activities by rural communities.

Compounding the issue, approximately $70 million USD in environmental funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been frozen in Colombia following actions by President Donald Trump to reduce the agency’s operations. This funding freeze is expected to predominantly affect conservation efforts in the Amazon.

Despite the increase, the 2024 deforestation figures still represent the second-lowest in the past 23 years. The government continues to face challenges in balancing environmental conservation with economic and social factors, particularly in regions where illegal activities contribute to forest loss.

Photo credit: Matt Zimmerman/Wikimedia.