Armed Groups as Forest Protectors in Colombia: A Risky Dynamic

Oct 16, 2023 | Joshua Collins
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On May 15, 2022, a guerilla group in Colombia called Estado Mayor Central (EMC) issued a surprising communique from the large swaths of Amazonian regions it controls, titled a “Manual of Coexistence.” The group announced a fine of 1 million pesos (roughly US$250) for every hectare (2.47 acres) of forest cleared. In the same communication, it also banned the sale of uncultivated land without express permission from its leadership.