A Colombian guerrilla group, the Central General Staff (EMC), has issued a stark warning ahead of the COP16 biodiversity summit, set to begin in Cali, Colombia, on October 21st. The EMC, a dissident faction of the disbanded FARC guerrilla group, is urging global delegations to boycott the event in response to the Colombian government’s recent military actions against them.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the EMC declared, “Faced with the war with which (the authorities) responded to our desire for peace for COP16, we invite delegates from the national and international community to refrain from attending this event.” This warning follows a military raid in El Plateado, a village in the Cauca department where the EMC operates, which resulted in injuries to approximately 17 individuals.
The threat echoes a previous warning from July, where the EMC claimed that the summit “will fail even if they militarize the city with gringos (Americans).” This underscores the escalating tensions and potential for disruption surrounding the event.
Despite these threats, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has reassured the international community that COP16 will be secure. The Colombian army has deployed vehicles and troops to patrol Cali, the nearest city to EMC-controlled territory, to enhance security during the summit, which will run until November 1st.
The EMC, with an estimated 3,500 active members, is heavily involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining, and conflicts with both the military and rival groups competing for control of trafficking routes and territories. Their activities present a significant security challenge for the Colombian government and raise concerns about potential violence and disruptions during the summit.
COP16, taking place just weeks before the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, aims to assess whether wealthy nations are meeting their commitment to provide $30 billion annually to support developing countries in protecting their ecosystems. The success of the summit hinges on the ability of participating countries to collaborate and make tangible progress in safeguarding biodiversity. However, the EMC’s threats cast a shadow over the event, highlighting the complex security and political challenges facing the international community in tackling global environmental issues.
