4 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:39 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:41 UTC
A group of U.S. lawmakers on Thursday urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio not to support Colombia’s plans to restart aerial spraying of coca, warning of risks to human health and the Amazon rainforest. The letter, led by U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan and signed by 18 other lawmakers including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Jim McGovern, expressed concern that the Trump administration may have encouraged Colombia to revive the program.
Colombia’s government, under President Abelardo de la Espriella, proposed a pilot project to spray up to 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of coca crops in Putumayo using glufosinate ammonium, replacing glyphosate which was suspended in 2015. The plan revives a U.S.-backed strategy previously halted over health concerns, with critics warning of environmental harm and ineffective long-term results.
Content auto-generated. May contain inaccuracies.