Colombian Wetlands Face Dual Threat from Oil Pollution and Armed Conflict
In the heart of Colombia's oil region, the San Silvestre wetlands near Barrancabermeja are grappling with a severe environmental and humanitarian crisis. Following a refinery pipeline burst last October, polluted vegetation is being cleared from the water, but the damage runs far deeper. This biodiversity hotspot, once a paradise for endangered species like manatees and jaguars, has transformed into a death zone due to persistent oil spills and the encroachment of armed groups.
Ecological Catastrophe Unfolds in Barrancabermeja
Yuly Velásquez, president of Fedepesan, a sustainable fishing organization, vividly describes the destruction. Standing on her wooden canoe with a machete, she hacks at reeds coated in blackened sludge from a recent oil leak. "The destruction is immense," she says. "For the fish, the animals, and flora, it means immediate death." The wetlands, with their swamps, lagoons, and forests, serve as a critical corridor for wildlife, including river turtles and manatees—animals once revered as guardian spirits of the lagoons.
However, Barrancabermeja is also Colombia's largest oil town, dominated by the state-owned refinery Ecopetrol. This facility produces up to 250,000 barrels of crude oil daily, meeting 80% of the nation's fuel demand. For decades, residents and environmental authorities have accused Ecopetrol of releasing oil and toxic waste into local rivers and wetlands, leading to catastrophic impacts. Fish populations have crashed, water quality has deteriorated, and manatee numbers are on the brink of collapse.
Reports Reveal Widespread Environmental Damage
A 2023 report by the Environmental Investigation Agency and Earthworks, based on leaked files known as the Iguana Papers, identified over 800 records of major environmental damage caused by Ecopetrol, primarily from the mid-1990s to mid-2010s. The report alleged a "web of deceit and cover-ups" to conceal incidents, with a fifth not reported to Colombian authorities. A BBC investigation later confirmed hundreds of oil spills since then.
Ecopetrol has rejected these claims, insisting it complies with environmental laws and has remediated historical sites. The company states that its subsidiary is containing and cleaning up the October leak, maintaining that operations have not harmed water quality. It also highlights investments to reduce discharges and protect wildlife. Yet, by late 2024, vast areas remained contaminated, with an oily sheen on water and petrol-scented air.
Fishing Communities Suffer Livelihood Losses
For riverside communities, the pollution is a direct threat to survival. Luis Carlos Lambraño, a fisherman for 37 years, reports mass die-offs of fish, snakes, birds, turtles, and caimans. "If we can't fish, we can't eat," he laments. "I feel utter sadness." Ronaldo Martínez, a 68-year-old water buffalo farmer, adds that about 30 buffalo have died from drinking poisoned water in the past five years. "It's become normal to find dead animals," he says, noting that fish during spills taste like oil.
Armed Groups Exacerbate the Crisis
Compounding the environmental disaster, illegal armed groups, known as gasoline gangs, have infiltrated the area. They hack into oil pipelines to steal fuel, causing additional leaks when their makeshift containers break. These groups also terrorize fishing communities, using drones to monitor boats and issuing threats. Yuly Velásquez has faced three assassination attempts and repeated attacks on her home for speaking out. "It has been devastating," she says, recalling the 2012 assassination of fishing leader Luis Arango, which silenced many voices.
Amnesty International researcher Alejandro Jiménez Ospina confirms a permanent atmosphere of harassment, with extortion, direct threats, and forced displacements. In February 2025, 26 fishing families were forcibly displaced. Eñi Salazar, a lifelong fisher, recounts being threatened at gunpoint: "They said to me: 'We know who you are, so if we ever see you here again, we'll kill you.'"
A Call for Peace and Preservation
Despite the dangers, Velásquez and her community refuse to wait for external help. "Every day we see places where wildlife used to live disappear," she states. Their demand is simple: to live in peace and enjoy their marsh and river without restrictions. As Colombia remains one of the world's most dangerous countries for environmental defenders, the fight to save Barrancabermeja's wetlands continues against overwhelming odds.
