Santurbán delimitation talks stall as government issues progressive resolution

The second round of talks for the participatory delimitation of the Santurbán páramo ended without agreement on Saturday in Bucaramanga, while the outgoing government of Gustavo Petro issued a surprise resolution for a progressive delimitation approach. The Ministry of Environment published Resolution 863, adopting a national methodology to delimit the páramo in stages, starting with 29,199 hectares already concertated with 19 municipalities Source: larepublicaco; elcolombiano. This marks a reversal from 2023, when the same ministry told a court that progressive delimitation was legally 'inviable' Source: elcolombiano.

Stalled talks

The second meeting, held in compliance with Constitutional Court Sentence T-361 of 2017, failed to reach consensus on two of six mandatory points, including substitution programs and the actual boundary. A third meeting is expected under the next government Source: portafolioco. Governor Juvenal Díaz had requested a postponement, calling the meeting 'disorderly' and 'foreseeable' Source: infobae1; infobae2.

Illegal mining revelations

An investigation by Vanguardia revealed the government knew the exact locations of five illegal gold tunnels above 3,000 meters for over two years, with estimated profits of $26 billion monthly Source: portafolioco.

What's next

The Ministry also proposed a permanent 1,500-hectare reserve and extended a temporary reserve on 80,000 hectares until 2029. Environmental groups fear the incoming government may alter these protections Source: eltiempoco.