US lawmakers oppose Colombia's Amazon aerial spraying plans
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 17:17 · Archive
US lawmakers urge the Trump administration not to support Colombia's plans to restart aerial spraying of coca crops in the Amazon.
A group of US lawmakers led by Representative Mark Pocan has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio not to support Colombia's plans to restart aerial spraying of coca crops in the Amazon rainforest. The letter, signed by 19 lawmakers including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Jim McGovern, expressed concern over reports that the Trump administration had encouraged Colombia to revive the programme.
The Colombian government has proposed a pilot project to spray up to 1,000 hectares of coca crops in Putumayo, an Amazonian department bordering Ecuador and Peru. The project would use glufosinate ammonium, replacing glyphosate, the herbicide used in earlier campaigns suspended over health concerns. Glufosinate ammonium has faced scrutiny over potential health risks and is no longer approved for use in the European Union.
Colombia's government argues that aerial spraying offers a faster, safer way to eradicate coca crops in areas controlled by armed groups. Critics say the strategy has failed to curb cultivation in the long term and risks harming rural communities and the environment. Colombia's National Police said the pilot would undergo scientific evaluation and exclude protected areas, water sources and territories belonging to communities with special legal protections.
How it is being reported
- US lawmakers urge Trump administration to oppose Colombia's Amazon aerial spraying plansA group of U.S. lawmakers is urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio not to support Colombia’s plans to restart aerial spraying of coca crops in the Amazon, warning of risks to human health and the environment.Clickorlando · 29 Oct, 16:39
- US lawmakers urge Trump administration to oppose Colombia's Amazon aerial spraying plansA group of U.S. lawmakers is urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio not to support Colombia’s plans to restart aerial spraying of coca crops in the Amazon, warning of risks to human health and the environment.News4Jax · 29 Oct, 16:39
In this story: Mark Pocan · Marco Rubio · Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez · Donald Trump · Abelardo de la Espriella · Colombia · Amazon · Putumayo
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log
Comments (0)